Epilogue:

Iston walked up the stairs, his feet dragged slowly up the stone stairs. This was a day he dreaded. It was not happy news he brought but she was asking for him and as the healer, it was Iston's responsibility to inform the king. He continued to walk up the stairway and into a room with a long table, where the nobles conversed with the king. Iston quietly made his way up to the king and spoke.

"Queen Alena grows more frail. She is asking for you." Iston whispered to the king.

"I will be with her within the hour." Thranduil responded. He couldn't leave his nobles in the middle of a meeting.

"My Lord, she won't be here in an hour." Iston reported. Thranduil closed his eyes to the news. His heart grew heavy as his mind wandered to his dying wife.

"I see. I will go to her now." Thranduil agreed. He dismissed his nobles and quickly left the room, making his way towards the chambers he and his wife had shared for 23 years. He could see the room was full of people. Around the bed stood Mae, Legolas, Amariel and a couple other healers were by her bedside. They all looked up to see Thranduil approach the bed. His eyes filled with sorrow as they met Lena's. Her face was pale, hair of grey trickled through her brown hair.

"Thranduil." Her voice shook as her hand reached for his. Thranduil sat in a chair next to the bed as he took it. His firm fingers curled around her frail ones.

"Lena." he said as he gently stroked her hair.

"May I speak with you alone?" she asked.

"Of course." he answered. He lifted his hand, dismissing those in the room.

"I love you mother." Mae said, taking Lena's hand for a moment. Lena smiled at her daughter and returned her words. After a moment Mae left the room with Legolas, Iston and the rest of the healers, leaving Lena and Thranduil alone.

Thranduil's hand tightened on hers as a great sadness filled her eyes.

"Thank you for coming. I can't believe we're already to this point." she said to him. "It seems like only yesterday we were married and our lives were before us. How did the years pass by so fast?"

"It is unfortunately the way time works and I will always come to you." he said. He saw regret in her eyes and he hated it.

"There was still so much I wanted to do. I am so sorry I couldn't give you a child and I'm sorry my body is so weak."

"Don't Lena. Please, let us spend our last moments without regret." Thranduil said, his voice wavered a bit. Lena nodded and leaned further into the bed. She could feel what little strength she had begin to leave her and she feared she would soon be gone.

"I can't help but wonder if this is how Beo and Elowyn felt when they died." Lena choked out as tears filled her eyes. "Were they this worried about those they left behind?"

"Please, do not worry for me, Lena." Thranduil urged her. "Reserve what strength you have." He would grieve for her but there was no need for her to use up more of her strength worrying over him.

"What will you do when I'm gone?" she asked. It was a question they both dreaded, still she wanted to know.

"There is still a great deal of work for me to do here." Thranduil told her. "Once it is finished, I will go into the West and leave the Kingdom in Legolas' care." Lena nodded. Tears trickled down her cheeks. A deep regret filled her. She wanted nothing more than to have a body that would last the lifetimes, Thranduil would still live through.

"There is a brown covered book there," Lena began pointing towards the nightstand. "Will you hand it to me?" Thranduil nodded and did as she asked.

"What is it?" he questioned.

"My journal." She answered, tears now streaming down her cheek. "I found great comfort in Beo's journal. It is my hope you will find that same comfort in mine."

"Shhh, my love." Thranduil gently hushed. He hated seeing her like this and it took all his control to not let her see the sadness that filled his own heart. He would not add on to the guilt she already felt.

"Please know, that if I had my way, I'd live with you at least a thousand years more. Please know that I love you, very dearly" she said, the tears began to stream down her cheek. She finally understood what Thranduil meant when he told her mortality was unfeeling. How unfair it seemed, that he would stay young forever while she had grown grey hairs and was now on her deathbed. She was angry at her body for being so weak. She hated that it was the reason she would no longer be with her beloved.

"And I love you. If I had my way, it would be much longer than a thousand years." Thranduil told her, his finger wiped away the tears from her cheek. "We would never part." A sad smile rested on both of their lips.

"23 years is not enough time." she stated.

"We would never have had enough time." He agreed.

"Please know that I never wanted to hurt you like this." She asked, almost like she was begging for his forgiveness.

"Shhhh. I know." Thranduil's voice cracked, giving sign of his own sorrow. "I know."

"May I ask one last thing of you?" Lena asked as her fingers softly stroked his hand.

"You may have whatever you desire."

"Please hold me." She pleaded. Thranduil quickly sat next to her on the bed and wrapped around his arms around her. Their lips met in a sad and tender kiss. He held her close to him, knowing it would be for the last time.

…...

Outside the door, Legolas, Mae and Iston waited. They all knew the next time they saw the King it would mean Lena had died. They spoke quietly among themselves.

"Why didn't they ever have their own children?" Mae asked her brother. Legolas looked down. Mae had been old enough to remember what had happened, though she may not have understood it at the time.

"Lena had two miscarriage, that I know of." Legolas began:

The air was warm, Lena was content in Thranduil's arms. Her eyes remained closed. She simply wanted to enjoy her husband. She rested like that for a minute when she became nauseated. She quickly hopped out of the bed and ran towards the bathroom part of their suite and vomited.

"Lena?" Thranduil questioned a hint of worry in his voice as she went up to her. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine." she responded, though she still felt nauseated. It was strange. The only other time she really felt this kind of sick was when she was pregnant with Mae and Ellis. Her eyes widened slightly as that thought hit her. "I'm fine." Thranduil knelt besides her and held her. She gazed up to him. "I think I need to see Iston."

"Then go. I can take care of things." Thranduil insisted. Lena nodded and within the hour she had made her way to the healing room.

"My Queen." Iston acknowledged as Lena came into the healing room. "What are you doing here?" When Lena became Queen she no longer had time to work in the healing room. It was a job she missed dearly though.

"Leave us." Lena told the two other healers on duty. They nodded to her before they swiftly walked out the door. Once they were gone Lena turned back to Iston; who gave her a quizzed look.

"What can I help you with?" the head healer questioned.

"Iston, I believe I may be with child. Could you...?"

"Of course. May I ask why you haven't gone to Amariel?" Iston said surprised. He motioned her to one of the beds.

"If I go to Amariel it'll start rumors. Everyone will know before I have a chance to tell Thranduil. If I am, I want him to find out from me." Lena explained. Iston nodded. He understood her concern. Once on the bed he looked her over and checked all the signs.

"It seems you are correct in your assumption." Iston told her. "You are with child." Lena looked away from him. She knew what Thranduil's feelings were. He did not want a child with her. Still, she felt happy at the news.

"Please don't tell Thranduil until I've had a chance to speak with him." she asked the healer.

"Of course."Iston replied though he was puzzled by her request. Surely the king had told her what he had told him a little over a year ago.

...

Once Lena finished with Iston she made her way down towards Thranduil's nook. Her hands fumbled with her dress as she thought of how to tell him the news. Every time she tried to bring up the possibility of a child with Thranduil, he shut her down. Lena didn't understand why he hated the idea and she knew he wouldn't be thrilled by this news but maybe he would take it well.

"Do you have a minute?" Lena quietly asked once she walked down the stairs. Her heart still quickened when she saw him. A nervous smile appeared on her lips.

"Of course." Thranduil smiled as he looked up to her. His hand motioned to the chair in front of him. Lena sat while Thranduil's hand reached out for her. Their fingers intertwined but Lena remained quiet.

"What did Iston have to say?" Thranduil questioned. Her mind raced but she decided to just tell him.

"He told me some wonderful news." Lena said with a smile. She hoped it would encourage a positive reaction from her husband. "I am with child."

"What?" he asked. A stern look appeared on his face. This wasn't suppose to happen.

"I'm with child." Lena repeated. Excitement and nervousness filled her eyes. Thranduil looked down to the ground. 'There are no children in our future.' he thought. His eyes widened slightly as he remembered Iston's words. Miscarriage. The pregnancy would miscarry, nothing would come of it. Relief rushed over him but it was short lived as he remembered he had not told Lena of her conditon.

"Why are you not excited?" Lena asked when she realized he wasn't happy about this news. "Is this not a reason to celebrate?"

"We are not having a child." Thranduil told her. He stood from his chair as his mind thought through this news.

"But we are."

"No we're not."

"Thranduil..."

"No! We aren't."

"Why is having a child with me so horrible?" Lena asked as her emotions got the better of her. She didn't understand why he was so against the idea. "Why was Elowyn so much more worthy to carry your child than I?"

"Don't you dare turn this into that kind of argument." Thranduil threatened. "Worthiness has nothing to do with this." With that Thranduil slammed his hand on the table before he stood and walked over to the pool. His mind wandered.

"Then what is it about?" Lena asked as she went to his side. Her hand touched his arm.

"Do you not remember what happened when you birthed Ellis?" he questioned in a whisper. "Do you not remember how ill you became and how close to death you were?"

"Of course I remember but I..."

"I couldn't keep my immortal wife alive." he snapped at her. "I only want to keep my mortal one with me as long as possible." It was then Lena realized there was great fear in Thranduil's eyes. He wasn't angry about the pregnancy, he was afraid of it. His lack of enthusiasm was because he thought he was going to lose her.

"I'm not Elowyn. I am not destined to have her fate." Lena insisted. "Please, be happy with me."

"There is something, I should have told you when we first got married." Thranduil said. He went on to tell her of Iston's suspicions and Elrond's visions. "This child, is not to be."

"We've been married for over a year and you've only now found time to tell me this?" she questioned.

"I honestly did not expect you to get pregnant." Thranduil told her. "However, I should have told you long before now."

"Regardless of if this pregnancy goes to term or not, I need you on my side." Lena pleaded with her husband."Please." Thranduil turned back to her. 'You will lose her before you are ready.' Elrond's words mocked him. He looked back to the ground and thought a moment longer. It was then he took her in his arms and kissed her lips.

"I am always on your side." he whispered to her.

5 months later

The months went by and Lena's pregnancy progressed. She looked over the list of things that needed to be done while her hand rested on her slightly swollen belly. She smiled as she felt her child flutter within her womb. Her memories turned to the night before when Thranduil had felt their child kick for the first time.

Lena then turned to Legolas and went to give him the king's instructions when she felt a sharp jolt in her stomach. She let out a pained cry and dropped the papers that were in her hand. Legolas was quickly at her side when Lena's hand went to her stomach as she leaned against a pillar. The pain was gone, for now.

"Are you alright Lena?" Legolas questioned. Lena felt herself become lightheaded.

"Legolas, please help me to my room and send Amariel to me?" Lena managed to gasp out before another wave of pain hit this time it was accompanied by a gush of blood.

...

Thranduil was in a meeting with his nobles when Legolas entered the room. The elf prince swiftly made his way to his father and whispered "Lena's in labor." Thranduil's head snapped towards him.

"What?" he asked.

"Lena's in labor." Legolas repeated. "Amariel says she's bleeding badly." Thranduil abruptly ended the meeting with his nobles and made his way to his chambers. He and Legolas weren't standing outside the door long before Iston quickly appeared, bag of herbs in hand.

"Iston." Amariel's assistant called as she emerged from the King and Queens' chambers. Her dress was covered in blood. This image brought back many memories of Elowyn for Thranduil and he began to inwardly panic. Iston quickened his step as he went to enter the room.

"Iston." Thranduil called to the healer. He turned back to his king. "Keep my wife alive." he ordered. The healer nodded and quickly made his way inside.

The King and prince stood outside Lena's room as they filled the air as both of their nerves increased.

"Were you this nervous when my mother died?" Legolas questioned as he sensed his father's nerves. While Lena was not his mother, he still valued the friendship they shared and fear filled him as well. Thranduil remained in his thoughts before he gave his son a nod. A half hour passed before Iston emerged from the room.

"My king," Iston greeted as he walked up to the royals. "I am sorry but your daughter is stillborn."

"And Lena?" While he did not want to lose his child, Thranduil was far more concerned with his wife's well-being.

"She's heartbroken." Iston said, a great sadness was in his eyes, "She's lost a lot of blood and she is very weak but she will be alright." It was then Amariel's assistant came out of the room. In her arms were towels and cloths, drenched in blood. A horrified look appeared on both Thranduil's and Legolas' face.

"When can I see her?" Thranduil questioned. All he wished to do was be with his wife.

"She asks for you now." Iston told him, he stepped inside and let the king in. Once inside the room, Thranduil found himself looking at an all too familiar scene. However, instead of his wife being lifeless. She rested against the headboard, her eyes were closed but tears streamed down her face as she held the body of their little one to her chest.

"Lena." he choked out. Her eyes opened and she looked up to him. No other words were spoken as he sat on the bed next to her. Their foreheads touched and they wept together.

…..

"Lena was never the same after that." Legolas stated. Mae nodded, she remembered her mother had been pregnant but did not remember why there wasn't a baby. "It took some time but my father did managed to make her smile again."

"I think her children made her smile too." Iston joined in on the conversation. "When she found out you and your husband were expecting your child, Mae, she was thrilled." Legolas and Mae smiled.

When Mae turned 18 she left the Woodland Realm and moved to Rivendell. It was there she met, Linidir, an assistant to Lord Elrond and minstrel. After some time they began to court. After a year of courting Mae returned to Mirkwood with Linidr at her side. It was then Mae told her mother of their plans to marry. The silver rings were exchanged and a year later the marriage ceremony was performed.

"Lena was ecstatic when she found out she was going to be a grandmother." Legolas reminisced. Smiles emerged as those memories were brought back.

"I just wish, she could be here for when this little one arrives. It was a comfort to have my mother there for Adenessa's birth." Mae said her eyes dropped as her hand rested on her slightly swollen stomach. Legolas noticed his sister's sorrow and gently placed a hand on her shoulder for comfort.

"She was very glad when you invited asked her to come. There was a time, when you and Ellis were her world. Much changed after she married the King but you two were always on her mind." Legolas comforted. Mae nodded.

"I'm honestly amazed, Lena has held on this long." Iston admitted. Two months had passed since the Queen fell ill and he had expected her to be gone long before now. "Her body has grown so weak and frail. Still, she's held on for him, you two and Ellis."

"Where is Ellis?" Mae asked. It was strange her brother had not come to their mother's side. Surely he wanted to tell her goodbye. As Ellis grew he trained with Legolas and Thranduil. He joined the guard and eventually earned a commanding position. He married an elleth, who played the harp, but they had not had any children.

"He is afraid to come." Legolas said. "He doesn't want to believe she is dying and coming here would only make it a reality."

It was then Thranduil emerged from his chambers. He held his head up but his eyes were lowered to the floor.

"The Queen has passed on."

…...

A few days passed since Lena's funeral. When Ellis heard of his mother's death he left to sort his mind and to mourn while Mae was readying to leave for Rivendell. She looked through her supplies as Legolas spoke with her.

"Are you sure I can't persuade you to stay a few days more?" Legolas asked.

"Lindir is waiting for us to come home." Mae stated. They embraced as siblings would.

"Where is Ada?" Mae questioned. While she had not been as close to the ElvenKing as Ellis she still thought highly of him and appreciated all he had done for her family.

"He is in his nook. You can go to him if you wish." Legolas said. "I will go get Adenessa." Mae nodded to her big brother. "Thank you." With that she made her way to the nook her mother and father had spent many nights in.

Once down the stairs she found him wine in hand, his head rested in his hand and he was deep in thought. She couldn't be sure but she thought she saw a tear fall down his cheek.

"Ada." she called. Thranduil quickly wiped the tear away and looked up to her.

"Mae," he began. "Is there something you need?" She could see his broken heart in his eyes.

"No, I'm fine. It's just, Adenessa and I are getting ready to leave and I wanted to say goodbye." Thranduil nodded and stood.

"Is there anything you need before you go?" he repeated. He promised Lena he would watch over Mae and Ellis and he would keep that promise. Mae stood there a moment. Mae wasn't sure what she could do or say that would ease the pain in her father's heart.

"I don't remember much about my father, my first father." Mae began, hoping she would say the right words. "I do remember I would hear my mother crying, every night. She would leave the room but I could hear her sobbing as she left. Every night for some time she did that. Then it changed." Mae continued as tears threatened to leave her eyes. "Somehow you made her happy. One day she just started to smile again. I know my mother loved me and she loved my brother but you're the one that brought her smile back. You're the one she wanted to be with when she died."

Thranduil looked down at his daughter's words. Lena's smile would only be in his memories now. How he wished Lena's eyes would look to him and he could see her smile once more.

"She loved you so very much. I could see it in her eyes and I think she would want you to remember that." Mae smiled as a tear streamed down her cheek.

'We honor those we love without losing ourselves to our grief.' These were words Thranduil had once spoken to Lena after she lost Beo. Now it seemed, he would have to try to live by those words. His eyes remained down as he felt the emptiness consume him.

"Mommy!" A small child exclaimed as she saw her mother. Thranduil looked up to see a four year old girl run up to Mae, the way Mae use to run to Lena. Mae knelt down and picked the half-elven child up.

"It's strange to remember, that I was four years old when naneth brought me here." Mae commented as she brushed some hair out of her daughter's eyes. "Now, I bring my own daughter here at the same age I was."

"You and your family will always be welcome here." Thranduil told her with a small sad smile. Mae returned the smile.

"Thank you, Ada. I'm sure we'll come to visit on occasion." Mae gave him a hug. "Thank you for loving my mother." A tear fell from her eyes and with one last smile, Mae turned and walked away. Thranduil watched her a moment before he began to walk up the steps to perform his duties as king.

Once the day's duties were done, Thranduil sat back in his little nook. Wine in one hand and Lena's journal in the other. He skipped a few pages until his name caught his attention.

"I looked up at Thranduil I would not look away. He would not control me as other had tried to do so in my past."

Thranduil smirked as he read about their first meeting. His thoughts went back to that time when they weren't even friends. Though neither knew it then, that was a time when they were both the widowed.

…...

~Author's Note~

Hi everyone! Holy Hannah my tears are going. I think this is the most emotionally challenging ending I've ever written for one of my stories. (Hopefully not too cheesy or Mary-Sueish.) It was the most realistic ending I could think of. I would like to thank everyone who has read through this story. I hope you all found joy in it. It's been a fun story to write. Thanks to those who have followed/favored it. A special thanks to those who reviewed:

Crystal-Wolf-Guardain-967: Thanks for all the reviews! I appreciate them all! :)

FireFox Vixen: Thanks for the review! I'm so glad you liked it! :)

Tintcalad: haha, It was a fun chapter to write. Thanks for all the reviews! I've appreciate them all! :)

Shuttlelauncher: Thanks for the compliment and for the review!

DeLacus: Thanks for all the reviews and the compliments. :)

animechick247: Thanks for the review and all the artwork! I appreciate all your reviews! :)

I think that's everyone. So now I want your opinions! The first question I have for you is what were your likes/dislikes about the story? What could have been added to give it greater depth?

Also, would anyone be interested in reading a Lindir oneshot (or twoshot) that will consist of Mae and Lindir's courtship, eventual marriage and their children? Is it something you'd be interested in reading? (Lena and Thranduil cameo would be included.) Also, would anyone be interested in a "The Widowed" sequel? (Staring Lena and Thranduil, of course.) Please leave a review and let me know what you'd like to see done or you can PM me. I tried to start a poll but for some reason the site wouldn't let me.

Thanks again for being great readers! I have enjoyed reading all your comments and have appreciated all of them. Constructive criticism is always welcomed. Thanks again for being such amazing readers and for all the support!-Lin

Note that isn't related to this story: Ghost of A Rose is out. It is my second Thranduil love story and is in no way related to this story but should be pretty fun. The next chapter should be out next Sunday. I also have a Beorn oneshot that is almost ready so keep a look out for that too if you like him. :)