"Frodo has passed beyond my sight," Gandalf muttered, a frown wrinkling his face further. "The darkness is deepening."

"If Sauron had the Ring, we would know it," Aragorn replied stonily. He refused to believe that hope was lost.

"It's only a matter of time," Gandalf sighed. "He has suffered a defeat, yes, but behind the walls of Mordor our enemy is regrouping." Gandalf began pacing the room as he thought.

Gimli blew a puff of smoke from between his lips. "Let him stay there. Let him rot! Why should we care?" As he spoke, Gimli waved his pipe around.

"Because ten thousand Orcs now stand between Frodo and Mount Doom," Gandalf snapped at the dwarf. He sighed deeply. "I've sent him to his death."

"No," Aragorn ground out quietly. "There is still hope for Frodo. He needs time and safe passage across the Plains of Gorgoroth. We can give him that." Aragorn gripped the handle of his sword tightly.

"How?" Gimli grumbled under his breath. He was tired. He just wanted to go back to the mountains; back to his home.

"Draw out Sauron's armies," Aragorn said with finality. "Empty his lands. Then we gather our full strength and march on the Black Gate." He pounded his right fist against the flat of his left hand to punctuate his statement. Gimli coughed out a puff of smoke in shock at Aragorn's words.

"We cannot achieve victory through strength of arms," Eomer argued, staring at Aragorn with confused eyes.

"My cousin is right," Theodred said softly. Sirius stared at the man in shock. He had hardly spoken any words since the death of his father. "But that is not your plan, is it, Lord Aragorn?"

"We will not achieve victory for ourselves," Aragorn agreed darkly. "But we can give Frodo his chance if we keep Sauron's Eye fixed upon us. Keep him blind to all else that moves." He smirked slightly.

"A diversion," Legolas said plainly. He grunted as Aphrodite elbowed him harshly in the gut.

"Certainty of death," Gimli grunted. "Small chance of success. What are we waiting for?"

Gandalf pulled Aragorn aside. "Sauron will suspect a trap," he whispered harshly. "He will not take the bait."

"Oh, I think he will," Aragorn smirked. He turned around to leave the throne room. Luna kissed Haldir's cheek before following Aragorn.

Aragorn walked up to the palantîr. Cautiously, Aragorn picked it up with one hand. His other hand held Anduril tightly. The sheet covering the palantîr slowly slid off. "Long have you hunted me," Aragorn said slowly. A great fiery eye filled the glass globe. "Long have I eluded you. No more." Aragorn showed Andúril to the eye. "Behold the Sword of Elendil." In response, Sauron sent an image through the palantîr.

Arwen lay on her bed in Rivendell. Her cheeks lacked their usual flush, and her eyes were dull instead of twinkling with brightness. All Aragorn could do was watch as Arwen slowly died.

The Evenstar slipped from around Aragorn's neck and would have shattered on the floor if not for the small elleth standing in the corner of the room.

"Wingardium Leviosa," Luna said dreamily, as though she didn't have a care in the world. The Evenstar floated back up into Aragorn's open palm.

"I don't think I'll ever be used to that," Aragorn said shakily. He placed the Evenstar back around his neck.

"No," Luna sighed. "It is quite much for those who aren't used to it." She looked up into Aragorn's eyes as she stepped out of her corner. "You are wondering if what you did was right."

"It's easy to doubt yourself in times of hardship," Aragorn replied quickly.

Luna let a soft smile play at her lips. "I suppose. I think Aphrodite doubted what she was doing during the war more often than she was sure of herself. I actually believe the only time she was ever sure of herself during the war is when she sacrificed her own life."

"She's still alive though," Aragorn said, confused at how Aphrodite could have given up her life yet still be here.

"Aphrodite can't die," Luna replied simply. "She could throw herself into a dragon's mouth and still come out alive. Eventually, she would just come out the other end."

"What is she?" Aragorn asked, awestruck at the simple idea.

"The Mistress of Death," Luna calmly answered. "That's a story for another time. I've gotten completely off topic. My point is that most leaders doubt themselves. They wonder if they are making the right choices to keep as many people alive and well as possible. As long as their heart's in the right place, though, they're pretty well off." Luna smiled a dreamy smile. "If you'll excuse me, I think I'm needed in the infirmary."

Hermione finished rubbing the healing salve on Éowyn's arm where the Witch-King had injured her. She and Éowyn walked over to where Faramir was standing in front of the window. Faramir silently wrapped his arms around Hermione's waist as the blonde woman began to speak.

"The city has fallen silent. There is no warmth left in the sun. It grows so cold." Éowyn rubbed her hands up and down her arms. Hermione summoned a blanket for the slightly older woman who wrapped it around her shoulders gratefully.

"It's just the damp of the first spring rain," Faramir said softly. "I do not believe this darkness will endure."

It never stops raining in England," Hermione sighed as the first raindrops started to fall against the stone. "I miss it there sometimes."

Faramir kissed her forehead. "It is selfish, but I am glad you came here. I love you, Hermione."

Hermione turned around in the man's arms. "I love you too." Éowyn looked away as the couple kissed. She couldn't help but pray George would make it back alive.

Aragorn and the others rode hard towards the Black Gates. Everyone was on their own horse except for Merry and Pippin. Pippin shared a horse with Gandalf while Merry sat in front of Éomer. Aphrodite, Legolas, Gimli, Boromir, Ginny, Luna, and Haldir were on Aragorn's left while Éomer, Daphne, Gandalf, Sirius, Theodred, and George were on his right. The company approached the Black Gates as the other soldiers waited nervously behind them.

"Where are they?" Pippin asked nervously. Aragorn, Gandalf, Legolas, Aphrodite, and Éomer spurred their horses forwards towards the Gate.

"Let the Lord of the Black Land come forth!" Aragorn called out. "Let justice be done upon him!"

There was a lingering pause before the Black Gates began to open. The crack between the Gates was only large enough for a dark rider to come out on his armor covered horse. The dark rider slowly approached the group.

"My master, Sauron the Great, bids thee welcome," the creature sneered. He gave a large toothy grin to Aragorn, but the man only gave a mocking look in return. "Is there any in this group with authority to treat with me?" the creature asked. Aphrodite shuddered when the beast's gaze passed over her as he looked over the gathered company.

"He's not alive," she muttered to herself. Legolas' elf ears picked up her distress, and he wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

"All will be well," he murmured into her hair.

"We do not come to treat with Sauron, faithless and accursed," Gandalf said. "Tell your master this: The armies of Mordor must disband. He is to depart these lands, never to return."

The creature snarled at Gandalf. "Old Greybeard. I have a token I was bidden to show thee." He pulled out the mithril coat Frodo had been wearing.

"Frodo," Pippin whispered in shock. He stared at the mithril with wide eyes. The creature threw the mithril coat to the ground at the feet of Gandalf and Pippin's horse. "Frodo!" Pippin screamed.

"Silence," Gandalf said earnestly. He gazed at the mithril in horrified shock.

"No!" Merry yelled.

"Silence!" Gandalf shouted over the two distressed hobbits.

"The Halfling was dear to thee, I see," the creature said maliciously. "Know that he suffered greatly at the hands of his host. Who would've thought one so small could endure so much pain? And he did, Gandalf. He did."

"No," Aphrodite growled under her breath. "You lie!" she shouted to the creature riding the horse. She rode forward behind Aragorn. Legolas was close behind them.

"And who are you?" the creature asked. "Isildur's heir? It takes more to make a king than a broken Elvish blade, mortal. And who else? The witch from another world and her mate? You could be valuable, my dear. Why bother with those of the light when you could have so much more from joining the darkness?"

"Shut up, you foul loathsome little roach!" Aphrodite screeched. A black light surrounded her body. A dark dress covered her body. Dark, feathered wings protruded from her back, flapping and lifting Aphrodite into the air. A long scythe appeared in her hands. "You do not control me! I am the Mistress of Death!" Aphrodite swung the scythe and rid the creature of its head. Aphrodite remained floating for a minute before plummeting towards the ground. Legolas rode forward and caught his limp mate in his arms. Her eyes were closed and her breathing was shallow.

"I guess that concludes negotiations," Gimli muttered gruffly, looking at Aphrodite with slight fear in his eyes. Legolas scowled at him.

"What happened to her?" Daphne asked, worry clear in her voice for her friend.

"She has fully accepted her role as Mistress of Death," Gandalf said.

"Is she okay?" Ginny asked nervously. Even as Ginny spoke, Aphrodite was slowly waking up. She blinked her emerald eyes once before sitting in her mate's arms.

"That was such a rush," she panted. She looked around at all the worried and fearful faces.

"Are you okay, puppy?" Sirius asked cautiously, not wanting to upset his adopted daughter. Aphrodite nodded slowly. She looked at the soldiers' fearful faces as they gazed at her.

"I fight with you not against you," she said to them. "I will not attack you." The soldiers relaxed slightly at the simple statement.

"They're coming," Luna said softly as she looked at the Black Gates. The Gates were fully opening, and an army of orcs were getting closer and closer.

"Pull back! Pull back!" Aragorn shouted. The company that had rode forward retreated back to the other soldiers. An uncountable number of orcs were marching towards the Host of the West. The soldiers were beginning to move back and forth nervously on their horses. "Hold your ground! Hold your ground!" Aragorn shouted to them, riding back and forth in front of them.

"Sons of Gondor, of Rohan, my brothers. I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me. A day may come when the courage of Men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship. But it is not this day. An hour of wolves and shattered shields when the Age of Men comes crashing down. But it is not this day. This day we fight! By all that you hold dear on this good earth, I bid you stand, Men of the West!" Aragorn tried his best to bring courage to the soldiers.

The Men drew their swords and gave shouts of courage. They could only watch as they were surrounded by Sauron's forces. "Never thought I'd die fighting side by side with an Elf," Gimli said to Legolas. Aphrodite was floating a few inches above the ground next to Legolas with Gimli on the other side.

"What about side by side with a friend?" Legolas asked as he gripped his bow tightly.

"Aye. I could do that," Gimli agreed.

The Eye of Sauron was completely focused on Aragorn. "Aragorn. Elessar," his voice hissed. Aragorn remained motionless as he stared off at the Eye in the distance. He turned to the army behind him.

"For Frodo," he shouted.

Aragorn galloped towards the Orcs, with the rest of the company right behind him. The rest of the army followed behind them.

The Nazgûl began sweeping in from the air to do some damage. Aphrodite flew up to meet them in battle. George, Daphne, Sirius, Ginny, and Luna all shot spells up at the Nazgûl. Gandalf paused his fighting when he saw a moth flying in front of his face. In the sky, the cries of Eagles were heard as several great Eagles appeared, joining Aphrodite in the aerial battle.

"Eagles! The Eagles are coming!" Pippin shouted joyfully as more Eagles joined the others. Suddenly, the Great Eye turned its gaze from the battle to Mount Doom. The Nazgûl flew off towards the mountain. Aphrodite and the Eagles turned their attention to the ground once all the Nazgûl were gone. Aphrodite flew over to where Aragorn was fighting a troll. With a quick slash of her scythe, the troll was downed.

There was a horrid screech as the tower the Eye was situated above collapsed. "We won," Ginny said simply as the shock covered her. The orcs were all running back into the Gates. "We won!" she shrieked as everything caught up with her. She threw her arms around Boromir's neck and pulled him into a heated kiss. Sirius wrapped Theodred in a hug and spun him around.

"Frodo! Frodo!" Merry cheered jubilantly. Suddenly Mount Doom exploded. Fire and lava poured from the mountain's crest. "Frodo! Sam!" Merry shouted in panic, realizing his friends were stuck on top of the mountain where the explosion was occurring.

"No!" Aphrodite shouted. She flew up into the air. Gandalf jumped up onto an Eagle and joined her. Together, they flew over the boiling lava, searching for a sign that Frodo and Sam were alive.

"There!" Gandalf shouted when he saw the two hobbits. They swooped down and the Eagle picked up Frodo gently in its claws. Aphrodite picked Sam up in her arms, and the hobbit curled into her chest. Aphrodite and Gandalf flew back towards the others where they could get the hobbits medical attention.

Frodo groaned before waking up. He blinked his crusty blue eyes as he sat up. His eyes widened when he saw who was sitting next to him.

"Gandalf?" Frodo asked in disbelief. Gandalf laughed when he saw Frodo was awake and nodded his head. Frodo grinned as he joined in his laughter. Merry and Pippin rushed to the door when they heard Frodo's laughter.

"Frodo!" Merry shouted happily. He and Pippin rushed over to Frodo's bed and jumped onto it. The three friends exchanged a large embrace. Gimli was next to appear in the doorway, also laughing cheerfully. Frodo looked up at him.

"Gimli!" he exclaimed. Gimli moved into the room. Ginny and Boromir stood behind him. Ginny was in a deep green dress that suited her hair well. Luna and Haldir followed them into the room. Legolas and Aphrodite appeared in the door next. Aphrodite's hair fell down her back, and she was in an ash grey dress with green accents. James was situated comfortably in Legolas' arms. Aragorn came into the room next. He smiled with pleasure when he saw Frodo was awake.

"Aragorn," Frodo mouthed silently.

Sam was the only one left in the doorway. He didn't move or say anything, but he didn't have to. Sam and Frodo stared at each other with deep love, trust, and friendship in their eyes. That was all that was needed.

Aragorn stood in front of Gandalf on the stairs in front of the great hall. Thousands of men and women stood in the courtyard behind Gandalf. Gimli stood next to Gandalf with Aragorn's crown resting on a pillow. Gandalf took the crown from the pillow and placed it on Aragorn's head.

"Now come the days of the king," Gandalf announced to the crowd. He smiled at Aragorn and said softly, "May they be blessed."

Aragorn took a deep breath before turning to face the crowd. He raised his hands into the air. "This day does not belong to one man but to all," he began. "Let us together rebuild this world, that we may share in the days of peace." The crowd cheered and applauded White flower petals began to fall from the White Tree. Faramir was standing with Hermione, Boromir, and Ginny underneath it. Daphne and Eomer stood nearby with Eowyn and George. Sirius and Theodred stood in front of them. Theodred was wearing his father's crown, and Sirius had a silver band around his head, signifying them as the crowned rulers of Rohan. Aragorn began to sing.

Et Eärello Endorenna utúlien. Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar tenn' Ambar-metta.

(Out of the Great Sea to Middle-earth I am come. In this place will I abide, and my heirs, unto the ending of the world.)

Aragorn began to walk down the aisle. People stood to the two sides, smiling at him. When Aragorn passed the group of friends, they all bowed and curtsied to them. He smiled and nodded his head in acknowledgment. Aragorn continued walking to stop in front of a group of elves. Aphrodite and Legolas stood in front with James in his mother's arms. Legolas and Aragorn each put a hand on the other's shoulder.

"Hannon le," Aragorn said gratefully. (Thank you.)

Legolas and Aphrodite held back their smiles as they stepped to the side. Behind them stood elf holding a white banner with the White Tree on it stepped forward and lowered the banner. Holding the banner, she walked up and curtsied to Aragorn. Aragorn looked at her in disbelief and deep love as he caressed her cheek. Aragorn wrapped his arms around Arwen, and they shared a kiss. The crowd erupted in applause, and Arwen pulled away, laughing jovially. Elrond looked on smiling.

Aragorn and Arwen walked hand in hand to stand in front of the four hobbits standing in the crowd. Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin bowed to Aragorn and Arwen.

"My friends," Aragorn smiled. "You bow to no one."

Aragorn knelt down, and everyone else in the courtyard followed suit. The four hobbits looked around themselves, overwhelmed.

Epilogue

Legolas wrapped his arms around Aphrodite as they entered the Greenwood. Legolas smiled as he looked around.

"It is as it was in my childhood," Legolas smiled. "The darkness has left these woods." Aphrodite looked up at the tall trees. James gurgled happily in her arms.

"It's beautiful, darling," Aphrodite said happily. Legolas wrapped his left hand around Aphrodite's. Their gold rings glittered in the green light. He rested his chin on her shoulder.

"The darkness has lifted from this world," Legolas sighed happily. He slowed the horse down in front of a set of golden gates. An elf dressed in light green armor took the reins from Legolas, and Legolas jumped off the horse. He wrapped his arms around Aphrodite's waist, and helped her jump down. Aphrodite fixed her hold on James, and allowed Legolas to lead her through the gates and into the palace.

"Ada?" Legolas called into the throne room. An elf slightly taller than Legolas walked into the room along with an auburn haired elf, a dwarf with black hair, two red headed men, a blonde woman, a toddler, and a brunette woman.

"Auntie Aphi!" the toddler shrieked. He ripped his hand out of the blonde woman's grasp and ran to hug Aphrodite around the knees.

"Teddy?" Aphrodite gasped. "Fleur? Bill? Charlie? Alicia?" The four adults grinned at Aphrodite.

"I went to visit George the other day," Charlie said. "He was gone, but there was a note left on his coffee table. Told me I'd find all of you here." Aphrodite handed James to Legolas and picked up Teddy in her own arms.

"I missed you all," she grinned widely.

"You must be Aphrodite Potter," the tall, blonde elf said solemnly. Aphrodite turned to face him and curtsied.

"Yes, my lord. Would I be correct to say you are King Thranduil, Legolas' father?"

"Quite," the elven king said. He gestured to the other elf and the dwarf. "These are Tauriel and Kili. They guard my kingdom."

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Aphrodite greeted.

"It's nice to meet you too, lassie," Kili grinned joyfully. Tauriel smiled at Aphrodite. Legolas wrapped his arms around Aphrodite, and she smiled. She had her family here in Middle Earth. She was happy.