(A/N) Well, my faithful readers, we have gone so far and seen so much
happen to Vanessa. Now it's all coming to an end. WAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!! Reicu,
thanks for reviewing again. Melia, thanks a lot for your review. For those
of you who really enjoyed this story, I have every intention of writing a
sequel. Maybe even more than one, about Juneau and her adventures. It just
won't be up as soon as I had hoped because my parents are threatening to
take AOL off of my computer if I don't take a break from my writing. Also,
we'll be seeing a lot more of Thangoruil and Luinethoniel in this chapter.
Well, here it goes, the beginning of the end. We must bid a tearful
farewell to Vanessa and the Fellowship.
For the Love of an Elf
Chapter 12: Friends never Say Goodbye
A week or two after the wedding, as the sun was rising over Rivendell, the remaining fellowship prepared to go their separate ways, once and for all.
Gandalf and the hobbits were going to journey to Bree and from there Gandalf would take the road to the Old Forest. The hobbits would continue on to the Shire. Legolas, Vanessa, Aragorn, Gimli, Luinethoniel, Thangoruil, Cassandra, and the twins would make for Meduseld. From there Aragorn would take leave of them and ride back to Minas Tirith. He had a kingdom to rule after all. Then Faramir and Eowyn would join them and they would ride to Erebor and leave Gimli at his home. Then they planned to go to Mirkwood and see Thranduil. Luinethoniel and Thangoruil would remain there. Finally, Elladan, Elrohir, Cassandra, Faramir, Eowyn, Legolas, and Vanessa would ride to Ithilien. Minas Morgul would soon be Minas Ithil once again and it would be blessed among the realms of men.
As they finished the last of the packing up, the final good-byes were exchanged. Until at last, the only person who had yet to say good bye was Vanessa. First she went to the hobbits. In the last few weeks that she had spent with them they had become like brothers to her. She took all of them into her arms for a group hug. As they stepped away from her Pippin began to speak.
"We'll miss you a lot Falynn. We've been through alot together and Merry and me, we'd just like to say thank you for everything. For defending us from orcs and then making sure that we escaped and all of that." Having said this, Pippin stepped back to join his kin and Merry stepped forward. Shyly, he kissed Vanessa on the cheek in a farewell gesture. Then Sam came forward and took Juneau in his arms.
"I think I'll miss you most of all, you cute little thing, you." Sam said sadly. Just then Juneau reached up at Sam's face with her tiny fist and began to giggle.
"Oh, her first laugh. Isn't it so precious." Vanessa said as she took back her daughter. Sam had been like an uncle to Juneau these past weeks. He certainly had a way with her. Finally, Vanessa turned to Frodo. She embraced him one final time.
"I hope that your life may return to normal now." She said as she backed away From him.
"I do not think that it can. I have suffered so much hurt already. How can things ever be the way they were before?" he wondered sadly.
"They cannot my friend. All you can do is look to the future and hope, I guess." With the hobbits turned away from her and she went to speak to Gandalf for the last time.
"Well lady Falynn, this is where the adventure ends. But there will be many more." He said with a small grin.
"Gandalf, I just want to thank you. Thank you for giving me back my life and my identity. Just for everything you've ever given me." With that she threw her arms around him as a daughter would with a father. For that was what the old wizard had been to her over the past year.
Legolas turned to Luinethoniel with a shocked expression on his face. "Is she allowed to do that?" he asked his sister in wonderment. Luinethoniel just shrugged her shoulders.
At long last, the two separated and Gandalf spoke to her once again.
"Do not be fooled by this Elf body Falynn. You are still mortal and will remain so. You may outlive even the men of old Numenor but in the end you will still be human. Never forget that." Having said this, Gandalf led the hobbits away from Rivendell, never once looking back.
Vanessa, Legolas, and the others of their company rode out for Edoras.
* *
*
A few weeks later, they reached the golden hall and Aragorn took his leave of them.
"Farewell, Faramir and Eowyn. I wish you all the joy in the world. Faramir, I hope that you will do well as prince of Ithilien." He said to them. Last of all he turned to Legolas and Vanessa.
"I hope that you two shall be happy with your new family. Maybe we will meet again someday." In a final gesture of farewell, Aragorn embraced his two friends and their child. Then he leapt onto his horse and rode away into the distance.
The company remained at Meduseld for one night. The next day, after bidding farewell to Eomer, King of the mark, they set out for Erebor. Within a few days they reached the southern borders of Mirkwood. For many days after they rode along it's eastern borders. Until they at last reached Lake Town, home of the men of Dale.
From there they rode to the gates of the lonely mountain, where they were stopped by two dwarf guards.
"Halt. Who would enter the realm of Erebor?" one of them asked shrewdly. Boldly, Gimli stepped forward.
"Gimli, Gloin's son would. You may tell King Dain Ironfoot that Gimli is returned from the quest."
"Dain Ironfoot was slain in battle with Mordor. Thorin III Stonehelm is now King under the Mountain." The second dwarf told them sadly. Yet almost happily. Then he spoke again. "You are welcome to enter Gimli, you have been missed here. Do your friends need lodging for the night? If so then we must tell King Thorin about it."
"No, we must continue. My father's palace is only a day's ride from here at most. Here is where we must part Gimli, my friend." Legolas said sadly.
The Elf and the Dwarf embraced one final time. This of coarse shocked the other dwarves because no such friendship had ever existed between a dwarf and an Elf. Then Gimli turned and said good bye to Vanessa. Suddenly he looked down at Juneau.
"Would you....would you mind if I.....said good bye to the little one?" He asked her shyly. Vanessa smiled her approval and Gimli bent down and gave the infant a wet, hairy kiss on her forehead. At that she began to giggle and wave her tiny feet in the air.
"I will miss you all very much." Gimli said. As he turned and followed one of the dwarves inside the mountain realm he turned back one last time and waved a final farewell. Vanessa could have sworn that she saw a small tear trickle down the side of his face.
Finally, the remaining nine turned and rode away from Erebor. They rode with all speed to Mirkwood. Unfortunately for them, the sky was already growing dark.
It was far too dangerous to travel through the forest at night. They were forced to make camp just outside the borders of Thranduil's kingdom.
After they had eaten and pitched tents, Legolas began to prepare for the confrontation with his father that was sure to come tomorrow. When he had left for the council of Elrond to represent Thranduil, he had been a completely different Elf. Now he had been away from Mirkwood for almost a year and a half and he had a wife and child. His father was not likely to take this sitting down.
"What am I going to do?" he wondered aloud.
"About what?" Vanessa said as she came up behind him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
"My father." He said.
"Let's not worry about that until tomorrow." She said. With that she pulled him into the tent that they had made for themselves and Juneau.
Faramir, Eowyn, Cassandra, Elrohir, and Elladan had already gone to bed. The only two people left awake were Thangoruil and Luinethoniel.
"Finally. I thought they would never go to sleep." Thangoruil whispered under his breath. He quietly crept up behind Luinethoniel. If she would not have him by choice, then there was only one other way to do it. He had controlled his raging emotions this far and now he was losing to them.
She looked so beautiful sitting there by the campfire. For an Elf her traveling clothing was somewhat scant in his opinion. She was wearing a very tight-fitting blouse that revealed her midriff slightly. It was also low cut and the sleeves stopped just above her elbows. The skirt she wore was ankle-length but right up the left side of it there was a slit that ran all the way up to about an inch or three above her knee. "It's just like her," he thought. She had never cared about what other She-Elves thought about the way she dressed. The only time that she didn't dress this way was in her father's presence. It was almost as if she wanted to attract suitors because that was what happened. But she claimed that she had no wish to marry. Thangoruil had never cared about that wish. He had been attracted to her from the moment that he had seen her when he had entered the King's service all those years ago. She knew that he loved her and yet she held herself tantalizingly out of his reach.
For a long while he continued to stare at Luinethoniel from behind. How could anyone not be attracted to her? Everytime he gazed at her shapely body he had trouble restraining himself. More than half of the time she was half-naked anyway. Thangoruil also had trouble believing that this woman was still a virgin. Slowly he crept closer to her. Finally he was directly behind her and he placed his hands on her bare shoulders. A shiver ran through him as his hands met her bare flesh. For once she didn't pull away from him. She actually seemed to relax a little bit. Gently he began to massage her shoulders. It was all that he could do to keep himself from grabbing her, throwing her down, and kissing her from head to toe.
"That feels nice." She whispered. "I am so stiff from riding all day." She relaxed even more. Slowly he moved his hands down her sides until they wrapped themselves around her bare midriff. She leaned back upon his shoulder and began to moan.
At first Thangoruil was shocked. Had she finally given in to him? Or was it just another trick of hers? At the moment he was far to aroused to care. He softly bent down and began to cover her neck with kisses.
But what he didn't know was that Luinethoniel HAD finally given in to him. She was tired of fighting him off. Maybe it would be good to fall in love. She was seeing it all around her lately. She wanted something like what Falynn and her brother had. She finally realized that she had always had it. In Thangoruil. Why had she always resisted it? Maybe it was because her father had tried to force her into it and she didn't want anyone telling her what to do.
She stood up pulling Thangoruil with her. Finally she turned to face him. Instantly, Thangoruil's breath left him. The flames of the fire created an outline of gold about her perfect body. Her long hair was hanging down her back like a vale. Her blouse was so low-cut that it revealed a good deal of her chest. In the firelight the material also looked very thin. Her leg was sticking out of the slit in her skirt. Slowly his gaze traveled back up to her face. Her cheeks were flushed red and her lips were parted just slightly. Her breathing was very shallow and haggard, almost as if she were worn out. Her gaze was blank, almost lustful.
He wrapped his arms around her waste and he roughly started to kiss her mouth. Then he dragged his lips down her neck, then past her neck. She moaned even louder and she ran her hands over his back, loosening the straps of his tunic as she went. Finally they could both express life times of pent up desire.
Slowly, almost reverently, he began to undo the buttons on her blouse, kissing as he went. Luinethoniel gasped as her blouse fell away. She finally succeeded in removing his tunic and she flung it aside. She quickly flung herself to the ground. Her heart told her that she would die if he did not take her soon. Slowly he bent down in front of her. It seemed as if she waited for an eternity for the contact that her body was screaming out for.
But just as he was about to move towards her again, she realized what she was doing.
"No." she whispered, angrily shoving him off of her. He hit the ground with a loud "Oomph" and she quickly pulled away from him.
"We have to stop." She said more firmly than she felt. All she wanted to do now was finish what they had started. But she could feel that she wasn't ready for that and yet she desperately wanted it.
"Why?" he asked. She could almost hear the disappointment in his voice.
"I do love you Thangoruil, but I....I'm...I'm just not ready for it yet."
"When will you be ready?" he asked.
"I...I just don't know." She whispered. She turned away from him so that he wouldn't see the tears in her eyes. Slowly she stood and went to gather her scattered garments. She desperately wanted to run back to him and finish it but she somehow managed to keep control of her body. Finally she rushed into her tent, her eyes red with tears. Thangoruil did not follow her. He simply headed for his own small tent. His mind was racing as he recounted what had happened out there. He wished he could say that he regretted it. She had been so upset. But he didn't regret it. He collapsed on his pallet, exhausted from the encounter.
* *
*
The next morning, the company ate a meager breakfast and they pushed onwards to Thranduil's palace. When they finally did arrive they were welcomed graciously. Thranduil had been expecting them because some of his scouts had come in last night and told him of their coming. Then Legolas and Luinethoniel introduced their companions to their father. That's when all the trouble started.
"Thranduil, King of Mirkwood. May I present to you, Faramir, Steward of Gondor and Prince of Ithilien. And his wife Eowyn, White Lady of Rohan. And I believe that you remember Elrohir and Elladan, sons of Elrond." Legolas said, only being formal because royal protocol demanded it.
"May I also present Lady Falynn, former bearer of the gem of the Wise and her daughter, Juneau."
"Is it really Falynn?" Thranduil asked in amazement. "So you have returned. Why is she the former bearer of the gem?"
"Because the stone is destroyed father." Luinethoniel answered him.
"So young Falynn, you have a child. I hope you won't think me rude for asking but who is so lucky as to be the father?"
"Not at all, your majesty. You may ask for it concerns you." Vanessa told him.
"How so?"
"Because Juneau is my daughter. Falynn is my wife." Legolas told his father. As he said this he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Vanessa's shoulders.
"Is that so?" Thranduil said calmly. Legolas could see that this news had shaken him, but he wasn't about to lose it in front of guests.
"Luinethoniel, you may retire if you wish. Thangoruil, I would like you to escort our guests to chambers of their own. I would like to speak with Falynn and Legolas alone." He said quietly.
After the others had left Thranduil began to interrogate Legolas about the events of his journey and how he had met Falynn once again.
"So Juneau was born before you two were married?" he asked, his voice was a deadly whisper.
"Yes." Legolas answered.
"This must never get out. It's bad enough that you have gone and married a woman of no birthright, but a mortal at that." Thranduil said harshly, his voice rising in anger.
"I'll have to ask you not to insult her, Father." Legolas said.
"Oh well, I may not like it, but it is your own choice I suppose. I cannot force you to marry another." Thranduil said, his shoulders slumping in defeat.
"I also wish to ask you something else my Lord. King Elessar has promised me land in Ithilien. I was wondering if I could take some of our people down there to live."
"You may but you must stay here for afew days. I haven't seen you all in awhile. Is packing up and just leaving any way to greet your father?" he laughed a little as he said this.
Finally, he let them retire to Legolas's chambers to rest.
* *
*
They remained in Mirkwood for nearly a month. By the time that Faramir, Eowyn, Cassandra, Legolas, Vanessa, and the twins were ready to depart for Ithilien an engagement had been announced between Thangoruil and Luinethoniel. This had greatly pleased Thranduil, and in his mind, it more than made up for Legolas's blunder in marrying Falynn.
Just before they were set to leave, Thranduil came to Vanessa and spoke to her. He had almost completely ignored her during the entire visit.
"I am sorry for the way that I treated you on your first day here Falynn. The news was a bit of a shock. First you show up here after being gone for nearly 2,920 years, and then I find out that Legolas had gone and married you and that you had his child. I had always thought of you as a daughter and the situation was a bit awkward. But I truly am sorry."
"It is all right. I imagine that it was a bit of a shock. Especially since he had married without your permission." She replied.
Just then Legolas walked over to them.
"Falynn, we are ready. It is time to go." As he led her over to the horses he turned back and said a final good bye to his father. Then he helped Vanessa up onto their horse and he gently handed Juneau up to her. He climbed on behind her and the seven of them rode away from Mirkwood, heading south towards Minas Ithil.
For two weeks they rode, almost non-stop. For they were all anxious to reach Ithilien and finally be able to take a break.
When the seven reached the tower of the moon, they found that Aragorn had sent a great deal of servants ahead of them. The traces of the wraiths of Morgul were almost completely gone. It was once again Minas Ithil, blessed realm of the kings of old.
Later that evening, after they had all gotten settled, Vanessa, Legolas, and Juneau were in their chamber. Juneau, for once, was sleeping and Legolas and Vanessa were standing on the balcony outside of their room. The balcony overlooked the silver forest that was Ithilien.
"How long do you think Elladan and Elrohir are planning to stay here?" Legolas asked Vanessa.
"I don't know but I think that Elrohir will stay on purely to offer his services as a babysitter. He seems to like Juneau. He's taken a shine to her in the past few months. Elladan.... I don't know how long he'll stay." For a while they stood in silence.
"It's getting a little chilly, don't you think?" Vanessa said.
Legolas wrapped his arms around her shoulders and gently started to lead her back into the bedroom.
"I think it's time to get to bed. What do you think?"
Vanessa didn't speak. She simply smiled coyly at him as she began to undress.
* *
*
When Vanessa awoke the next morning it was to the cries of Juneau. For a moment she lay in the bed, holding Legolas to her body.
Finally she rose from the bed and pulled a robe over her bare shoulders. She walked over to Juneau's cradle and lifted her crying child from it. She gently rocked Juneau back and forth as she walked out onto the balcony.
The view was breathtaking. The sun was just coming up, bringing a warm breeze with it. The silver forest below shone as if it were on fire. A silver flame that was lit from within. It was the perfect dawn. Birds were singing and everything. She had a beautiful daughter and Legolas was inside, still sleeping.
As Vanessa looked into Juneau's eyes she remembered a song that she had learned back home in the "real" world. It now seemed a lifetime ago that she had lived there. Juneau was still whimpering and Vanessa began to sing.
Can we touch the soul of heaven
Can we unite a sacred lesson
Every child creates a skylight of beauty
Can you hear cathedrals falling
All the universe is calling
Since the world has lost her way
Loneliness journey endlessly
Yet the promised chance remains
Gifts of that could be
So let the children remember the sun
Let them dance let them soar
For their lives have begun
Let the children engender the rain
As the river runs through fields
Forever subsiding their pain
Prayer
Every voice along the shoreline
Standing still within time
Spinning unresolved the walking
As each season passes
Through Wonderland, looking glasses
The secret garden shire beckons you
Gentle flower don't fade away
Sweet innocence still harbors thee
In the faith of garden dreams
Where one love lives eternally
Let the children remember the sun
Let them dance let them soar
For their lives have begun
Let the children engender the rain
As the river runs through fields
Forever subsiding their pain
Prayer
Bless the children for they are the light
They are the truth of spirit in flight
Yes the children engender the rain
As the river runs through life
Healing their pain
If you could trust with your heart
One more time
Sweet angel conceived
You have forever and always believed
Prayer
As she finished the song, Vanessa realized that Legolas was standing beside her.
"That was beautiful." He said to her as he knelt down and kissed her brow.
"Thank you but it's nothing compared to this sunrise. I've never seen anything like it."
"The sunrise is also nothing compared to Juneau." Legolas whispered as he wrapped his arms around her.
"Nothing is more beautiful than a brand new life beginning." Vanessa said as she leaned back upon his shoulder. He rested his chin upon her head and they both stared down at Juneau, who was smiling happily up at her parents.
Vanessa closed her eyes, enjoying the sweet scents of the morning air, and those of her husband and daughter.
Finally, they had a chance for peace. Real peace.
* *
*
200 years later
Lady Falynn stood on the shores of the Great Western Sea at the mouth of the river Anduin, long after the memory of a girl called Vanessa had faded. She could just barely make out the island of Tolfalas in the distance. She could barely make out anything because the mist was rolling in off of the sea. A gray ship was anchored just off shore. The war of the ring had been over for two hundred years. King Elessar had been dead for eighty years.
The Elves of Ithilien stood a short distance away. They were preparing to accompany their Lord back across the sea to Erressea, Valinor, Elven home.
Juneau stood by Falynn's side. Juneau was young for an Elf but she was the eldest of Falynn and Legolas's six children. She was clad all in black. Juneau was the only one other than Falynn who would not be sailing aboard the gray ship today.
Ever since Aragorn had died Legolas had been longing to sail across the sea. He had never voiced his desire but Falynn knew him too well. Finally convinced him to leave. She knew that her time in Middle-Earth was ending as well.
On this day, Legolas would sail the gray ship that they had built in Ithilien and he would go to Valinor. Taking the remaining elves of Ithilien, their five remaining children, and Gimli with him.
Gimli was a very old Dwarf and his race was dying out in Middle-Earth. The only reason that he chose to leave was because he was dying and he greatly desired to see the Lady Galadriel again.
Falynn's five younger children Gavin, Kale, Thrandorn, Latara, and Arwen would also sail across the sea. Juneau, however, refused to leave.
Once they left, the only Elves left in Middle-Earth would be Elladan, Elrohir, Celeborn, and Juneau.
When Falynn looked up again she realized that the other Elves and Gimli had already boarded the ship. Her family now approached her. Her eldest son, Gavin, stepped forward and embraced his mother one last time.
"We'll miss you mother." Her second son, Kale said as Gavin backed away.
"What about me Kale? Are you glad to be rid of me then?" Juneau said teasingly.
"Of course not sister." Kale said as he went and embraced his eldest sister.
"Why can't you come with us mother?" Arwen burst out. She was the youngest and she had been named for Queen Arwen. The young Elf girl had an uncanny resemblance to the now dead queen of Gondor.
"I am mortal. You six have chosen to be Elf-kind." She said, addressing her children. "Juneau could go if she wished to but she has made up her mind."
Latara, the third daughter, stepped forward and burst into tears as she hugged her mother and sister.
"Are you certain that you don't want to come Juneau?" the youngest son, Thrandorn asked her.
Juneau drew herself up bravely.
"I have decided." She said.
Finally the five young Elves left to board the ship.
Legolas embraced his wife and first-born daughter for the final time, knowing that it was more than likely that he would never see them again.
"Are you two sure that you don't want to go with us?" Legolas asked them, holding back his sorrow.
"Why should I want to see Valinor, I am mortal." She whispered to him.
"And I will not leave mother here all alone." Juneau said.
Legolas laughed and kissed her on the cheek. Then he turned back to Falynn and kissed her one last time. For a long while he held her in his arms, memorizing her scent and feeling. Finally they released each other and Legolas slowly backed away from them.
"I will miss you two so much." He said, the pain in his voice plain to be heard.
Then he boarded the ship at last and it began to sail away. He stood at the stern for a long while and looked back upon his loved ones.
Falynn and Juneau stood on the shore and watched the ship sail away with their family until it faded away into the morning mist. The last thing that Falynn saw of it was Legolas's tear-stained face. Falynn and her daughter now stood all alone on the cold shore of the sea.
"Are we shut out of Erressea mother?" Juneau asked as she tearfully hugged Falynn.
"You may go there one day my daughter. But I will never see the utter west. My time here is over."
"What do you mean by that?" Juneau asked.
But Falynn did not answer. She broke away from her daughter's embrace and walked ever closer to the lapping surf, until she was at last standing in the water.
Suddenly, the world faded away from Falynn's eyes and a great cloud of mist enveloped her.
When the mist withdrew, Falynn was gone. So ended the Fellowship of the Ring in Middle-Earth.
* *
*
"Vanessa? Vanessa!"
As the world came back into focus, Falynn began to see three girls kneeling over her. Girls that she had not seen in nearly two hundred years.
"Tiffany? Allison? Nicole?" Falynn said as she tried to sit up. "What happened?"
"We were doing the ritual like we always do and right after we finished it you just...passed out." Tiffany said with concern.
Falynn rushed over to the mirror that hung beside the television set. The Elf ears that she had gotten so used to were once again fake imitations. What happened? Had it all been a dream.
"Look, Vanessa, maybe we should just leave. You're tired." Nicole said as the three of them rose from the floor.
As they climbed the stairs Falynn just sat there, staring at the mirror. It couldn't have been a dream. It just couldn't have been! It was far too real. Suddenly Falynn knew how she could get proof. She pulled the neckline of her costume down. The flower charm wasn't there. It really had happened. All of it.
Slowly she climbed the stairs into the kitchen. Her "parents" had already gone to bed. As if she were in a trance she climbed the next set of stairs, somehow she remembered where her bedroom was. When she reached it she crossed to the window and opened it wide. Softly she cried out into the starlit night.
"I'll always love you Legolas."
She didn't even bother changing before collapsing upon her bed.
* *
*
Falynn never really got over her return to the mortal world. She eventually left her parents' house, in search of what she had lost. Even though she knew that she wouldn't find it in that world.
She died a broken woman.
But as she was dying, the Lady Elbereth came to her and allowed her to pass beyond the circles of the world.
* *
*
Legolas was standing on the shores that looked out over the sea. It had been many long years since he had left his wife standing on that far away shore. Suddenly his eyes opened wide in surprise, for there seemed to be a canoe of sorts drifting towards Erressea out of the mists that surrounded it. Immediately he rushed forward into the water and he saw a figure crouched over in the canoe.
He nearly fell back in shock when he realized that the figure was Falynn. When she finally raised her face to his he saw the years lift from her face. She rose from the canoe and promptly collapsed into Legolas's arms. She then began to sob almost helplessly.
"Oh Legolas, I have had such sadness." She said through her tears.
He simply held her closer, comforting her. He was so happy that he didn't even bother to question how she had come to be there. Legolas had thought that he would find contentment when he reached Erressea, but it had not been so. He had been lonesome and forlorn without her.
Now they could finally be together in peace. With no war or death or suffering to part them ever again.
* *
*
Their daughter, Juneau, never came to Valinor. She remained in Middle- Earth ever after, searching for her mother with Elrohir by her side. Even after Elladan and Celeborn departed and they were the only Elves remaining in Middle-Earth.
But that's not this story. This story is done.
This is the end of the first tale of Falynn of Ithilien.
For the Love of an Elf
Chapter 12: Friends never Say Goodbye
A week or two after the wedding, as the sun was rising over Rivendell, the remaining fellowship prepared to go their separate ways, once and for all.
Gandalf and the hobbits were going to journey to Bree and from there Gandalf would take the road to the Old Forest. The hobbits would continue on to the Shire. Legolas, Vanessa, Aragorn, Gimli, Luinethoniel, Thangoruil, Cassandra, and the twins would make for Meduseld. From there Aragorn would take leave of them and ride back to Minas Tirith. He had a kingdom to rule after all. Then Faramir and Eowyn would join them and they would ride to Erebor and leave Gimli at his home. Then they planned to go to Mirkwood and see Thranduil. Luinethoniel and Thangoruil would remain there. Finally, Elladan, Elrohir, Cassandra, Faramir, Eowyn, Legolas, and Vanessa would ride to Ithilien. Minas Morgul would soon be Minas Ithil once again and it would be blessed among the realms of men.
As they finished the last of the packing up, the final good-byes were exchanged. Until at last, the only person who had yet to say good bye was Vanessa. First she went to the hobbits. In the last few weeks that she had spent with them they had become like brothers to her. She took all of them into her arms for a group hug. As they stepped away from her Pippin began to speak.
"We'll miss you a lot Falynn. We've been through alot together and Merry and me, we'd just like to say thank you for everything. For defending us from orcs and then making sure that we escaped and all of that." Having said this, Pippin stepped back to join his kin and Merry stepped forward. Shyly, he kissed Vanessa on the cheek in a farewell gesture. Then Sam came forward and took Juneau in his arms.
"I think I'll miss you most of all, you cute little thing, you." Sam said sadly. Just then Juneau reached up at Sam's face with her tiny fist and began to giggle.
"Oh, her first laugh. Isn't it so precious." Vanessa said as she took back her daughter. Sam had been like an uncle to Juneau these past weeks. He certainly had a way with her. Finally, Vanessa turned to Frodo. She embraced him one final time.
"I hope that your life may return to normal now." She said as she backed away From him.
"I do not think that it can. I have suffered so much hurt already. How can things ever be the way they were before?" he wondered sadly.
"They cannot my friend. All you can do is look to the future and hope, I guess." With the hobbits turned away from her and she went to speak to Gandalf for the last time.
"Well lady Falynn, this is where the adventure ends. But there will be many more." He said with a small grin.
"Gandalf, I just want to thank you. Thank you for giving me back my life and my identity. Just for everything you've ever given me." With that she threw her arms around him as a daughter would with a father. For that was what the old wizard had been to her over the past year.
Legolas turned to Luinethoniel with a shocked expression on his face. "Is she allowed to do that?" he asked his sister in wonderment. Luinethoniel just shrugged her shoulders.
At long last, the two separated and Gandalf spoke to her once again.
"Do not be fooled by this Elf body Falynn. You are still mortal and will remain so. You may outlive even the men of old Numenor but in the end you will still be human. Never forget that." Having said this, Gandalf led the hobbits away from Rivendell, never once looking back.
Vanessa, Legolas, and the others of their company rode out for Edoras.
* *
*
A few weeks later, they reached the golden hall and Aragorn took his leave of them.
"Farewell, Faramir and Eowyn. I wish you all the joy in the world. Faramir, I hope that you will do well as prince of Ithilien." He said to them. Last of all he turned to Legolas and Vanessa.
"I hope that you two shall be happy with your new family. Maybe we will meet again someday." In a final gesture of farewell, Aragorn embraced his two friends and their child. Then he leapt onto his horse and rode away into the distance.
The company remained at Meduseld for one night. The next day, after bidding farewell to Eomer, King of the mark, they set out for Erebor. Within a few days they reached the southern borders of Mirkwood. For many days after they rode along it's eastern borders. Until they at last reached Lake Town, home of the men of Dale.
From there they rode to the gates of the lonely mountain, where they were stopped by two dwarf guards.
"Halt. Who would enter the realm of Erebor?" one of them asked shrewdly. Boldly, Gimli stepped forward.
"Gimli, Gloin's son would. You may tell King Dain Ironfoot that Gimli is returned from the quest."
"Dain Ironfoot was slain in battle with Mordor. Thorin III Stonehelm is now King under the Mountain." The second dwarf told them sadly. Yet almost happily. Then he spoke again. "You are welcome to enter Gimli, you have been missed here. Do your friends need lodging for the night? If so then we must tell King Thorin about it."
"No, we must continue. My father's palace is only a day's ride from here at most. Here is where we must part Gimli, my friend." Legolas said sadly.
The Elf and the Dwarf embraced one final time. This of coarse shocked the other dwarves because no such friendship had ever existed between a dwarf and an Elf. Then Gimli turned and said good bye to Vanessa. Suddenly he looked down at Juneau.
"Would you....would you mind if I.....said good bye to the little one?" He asked her shyly. Vanessa smiled her approval and Gimli bent down and gave the infant a wet, hairy kiss on her forehead. At that she began to giggle and wave her tiny feet in the air.
"I will miss you all very much." Gimli said. As he turned and followed one of the dwarves inside the mountain realm he turned back one last time and waved a final farewell. Vanessa could have sworn that she saw a small tear trickle down the side of his face.
Finally, the remaining nine turned and rode away from Erebor. They rode with all speed to Mirkwood. Unfortunately for them, the sky was already growing dark.
It was far too dangerous to travel through the forest at night. They were forced to make camp just outside the borders of Thranduil's kingdom.
After they had eaten and pitched tents, Legolas began to prepare for the confrontation with his father that was sure to come tomorrow. When he had left for the council of Elrond to represent Thranduil, he had been a completely different Elf. Now he had been away from Mirkwood for almost a year and a half and he had a wife and child. His father was not likely to take this sitting down.
"What am I going to do?" he wondered aloud.
"About what?" Vanessa said as she came up behind him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
"My father." He said.
"Let's not worry about that until tomorrow." She said. With that she pulled him into the tent that they had made for themselves and Juneau.
Faramir, Eowyn, Cassandra, Elrohir, and Elladan had already gone to bed. The only two people left awake were Thangoruil and Luinethoniel.
"Finally. I thought they would never go to sleep." Thangoruil whispered under his breath. He quietly crept up behind Luinethoniel. If she would not have him by choice, then there was only one other way to do it. He had controlled his raging emotions this far and now he was losing to them.
She looked so beautiful sitting there by the campfire. For an Elf her traveling clothing was somewhat scant in his opinion. She was wearing a very tight-fitting blouse that revealed her midriff slightly. It was also low cut and the sleeves stopped just above her elbows. The skirt she wore was ankle-length but right up the left side of it there was a slit that ran all the way up to about an inch or three above her knee. "It's just like her," he thought. She had never cared about what other She-Elves thought about the way she dressed. The only time that she didn't dress this way was in her father's presence. It was almost as if she wanted to attract suitors because that was what happened. But she claimed that she had no wish to marry. Thangoruil had never cared about that wish. He had been attracted to her from the moment that he had seen her when he had entered the King's service all those years ago. She knew that he loved her and yet she held herself tantalizingly out of his reach.
For a long while he continued to stare at Luinethoniel from behind. How could anyone not be attracted to her? Everytime he gazed at her shapely body he had trouble restraining himself. More than half of the time she was half-naked anyway. Thangoruil also had trouble believing that this woman was still a virgin. Slowly he crept closer to her. Finally he was directly behind her and he placed his hands on her bare shoulders. A shiver ran through him as his hands met her bare flesh. For once she didn't pull away from him. She actually seemed to relax a little bit. Gently he began to massage her shoulders. It was all that he could do to keep himself from grabbing her, throwing her down, and kissing her from head to toe.
"That feels nice." She whispered. "I am so stiff from riding all day." She relaxed even more. Slowly he moved his hands down her sides until they wrapped themselves around her bare midriff. She leaned back upon his shoulder and began to moan.
At first Thangoruil was shocked. Had she finally given in to him? Or was it just another trick of hers? At the moment he was far to aroused to care. He softly bent down and began to cover her neck with kisses.
But what he didn't know was that Luinethoniel HAD finally given in to him. She was tired of fighting him off. Maybe it would be good to fall in love. She was seeing it all around her lately. She wanted something like what Falynn and her brother had. She finally realized that she had always had it. In Thangoruil. Why had she always resisted it? Maybe it was because her father had tried to force her into it and she didn't want anyone telling her what to do.
She stood up pulling Thangoruil with her. Finally she turned to face him. Instantly, Thangoruil's breath left him. The flames of the fire created an outline of gold about her perfect body. Her long hair was hanging down her back like a vale. Her blouse was so low-cut that it revealed a good deal of her chest. In the firelight the material also looked very thin. Her leg was sticking out of the slit in her skirt. Slowly his gaze traveled back up to her face. Her cheeks were flushed red and her lips were parted just slightly. Her breathing was very shallow and haggard, almost as if she were worn out. Her gaze was blank, almost lustful.
He wrapped his arms around her waste and he roughly started to kiss her mouth. Then he dragged his lips down her neck, then past her neck. She moaned even louder and she ran her hands over his back, loosening the straps of his tunic as she went. Finally they could both express life times of pent up desire.
Slowly, almost reverently, he began to undo the buttons on her blouse, kissing as he went. Luinethoniel gasped as her blouse fell away. She finally succeeded in removing his tunic and she flung it aside. She quickly flung herself to the ground. Her heart told her that she would die if he did not take her soon. Slowly he bent down in front of her. It seemed as if she waited for an eternity for the contact that her body was screaming out for.
But just as he was about to move towards her again, she realized what she was doing.
"No." she whispered, angrily shoving him off of her. He hit the ground with a loud "Oomph" and she quickly pulled away from him.
"We have to stop." She said more firmly than she felt. All she wanted to do now was finish what they had started. But she could feel that she wasn't ready for that and yet she desperately wanted it.
"Why?" he asked. She could almost hear the disappointment in his voice.
"I do love you Thangoruil, but I....I'm...I'm just not ready for it yet."
"When will you be ready?" he asked.
"I...I just don't know." She whispered. She turned away from him so that he wouldn't see the tears in her eyes. Slowly she stood and went to gather her scattered garments. She desperately wanted to run back to him and finish it but she somehow managed to keep control of her body. Finally she rushed into her tent, her eyes red with tears. Thangoruil did not follow her. He simply headed for his own small tent. His mind was racing as he recounted what had happened out there. He wished he could say that he regretted it. She had been so upset. But he didn't regret it. He collapsed on his pallet, exhausted from the encounter.
* *
*
The next morning, the company ate a meager breakfast and they pushed onwards to Thranduil's palace. When they finally did arrive they were welcomed graciously. Thranduil had been expecting them because some of his scouts had come in last night and told him of their coming. Then Legolas and Luinethoniel introduced their companions to their father. That's when all the trouble started.
"Thranduil, King of Mirkwood. May I present to you, Faramir, Steward of Gondor and Prince of Ithilien. And his wife Eowyn, White Lady of Rohan. And I believe that you remember Elrohir and Elladan, sons of Elrond." Legolas said, only being formal because royal protocol demanded it.
"May I also present Lady Falynn, former bearer of the gem of the Wise and her daughter, Juneau."
"Is it really Falynn?" Thranduil asked in amazement. "So you have returned. Why is she the former bearer of the gem?"
"Because the stone is destroyed father." Luinethoniel answered him.
"So young Falynn, you have a child. I hope you won't think me rude for asking but who is so lucky as to be the father?"
"Not at all, your majesty. You may ask for it concerns you." Vanessa told him.
"How so?"
"Because Juneau is my daughter. Falynn is my wife." Legolas told his father. As he said this he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Vanessa's shoulders.
"Is that so?" Thranduil said calmly. Legolas could see that this news had shaken him, but he wasn't about to lose it in front of guests.
"Luinethoniel, you may retire if you wish. Thangoruil, I would like you to escort our guests to chambers of their own. I would like to speak with Falynn and Legolas alone." He said quietly.
After the others had left Thranduil began to interrogate Legolas about the events of his journey and how he had met Falynn once again.
"So Juneau was born before you two were married?" he asked, his voice was a deadly whisper.
"Yes." Legolas answered.
"This must never get out. It's bad enough that you have gone and married a woman of no birthright, but a mortal at that." Thranduil said harshly, his voice rising in anger.
"I'll have to ask you not to insult her, Father." Legolas said.
"Oh well, I may not like it, but it is your own choice I suppose. I cannot force you to marry another." Thranduil said, his shoulders slumping in defeat.
"I also wish to ask you something else my Lord. King Elessar has promised me land in Ithilien. I was wondering if I could take some of our people down there to live."
"You may but you must stay here for afew days. I haven't seen you all in awhile. Is packing up and just leaving any way to greet your father?" he laughed a little as he said this.
Finally, he let them retire to Legolas's chambers to rest.
* *
*
They remained in Mirkwood for nearly a month. By the time that Faramir, Eowyn, Cassandra, Legolas, Vanessa, and the twins were ready to depart for Ithilien an engagement had been announced between Thangoruil and Luinethoniel. This had greatly pleased Thranduil, and in his mind, it more than made up for Legolas's blunder in marrying Falynn.
Just before they were set to leave, Thranduil came to Vanessa and spoke to her. He had almost completely ignored her during the entire visit.
"I am sorry for the way that I treated you on your first day here Falynn. The news was a bit of a shock. First you show up here after being gone for nearly 2,920 years, and then I find out that Legolas had gone and married you and that you had his child. I had always thought of you as a daughter and the situation was a bit awkward. But I truly am sorry."
"It is all right. I imagine that it was a bit of a shock. Especially since he had married without your permission." She replied.
Just then Legolas walked over to them.
"Falynn, we are ready. It is time to go." As he led her over to the horses he turned back and said a final good bye to his father. Then he helped Vanessa up onto their horse and he gently handed Juneau up to her. He climbed on behind her and the seven of them rode away from Mirkwood, heading south towards Minas Ithil.
For two weeks they rode, almost non-stop. For they were all anxious to reach Ithilien and finally be able to take a break.
When the seven reached the tower of the moon, they found that Aragorn had sent a great deal of servants ahead of them. The traces of the wraiths of Morgul were almost completely gone. It was once again Minas Ithil, blessed realm of the kings of old.
Later that evening, after they had all gotten settled, Vanessa, Legolas, and Juneau were in their chamber. Juneau, for once, was sleeping and Legolas and Vanessa were standing on the balcony outside of their room. The balcony overlooked the silver forest that was Ithilien.
"How long do you think Elladan and Elrohir are planning to stay here?" Legolas asked Vanessa.
"I don't know but I think that Elrohir will stay on purely to offer his services as a babysitter. He seems to like Juneau. He's taken a shine to her in the past few months. Elladan.... I don't know how long he'll stay." For a while they stood in silence.
"It's getting a little chilly, don't you think?" Vanessa said.
Legolas wrapped his arms around her shoulders and gently started to lead her back into the bedroom.
"I think it's time to get to bed. What do you think?"
Vanessa didn't speak. She simply smiled coyly at him as she began to undress.
* *
*
When Vanessa awoke the next morning it was to the cries of Juneau. For a moment she lay in the bed, holding Legolas to her body.
Finally she rose from the bed and pulled a robe over her bare shoulders. She walked over to Juneau's cradle and lifted her crying child from it. She gently rocked Juneau back and forth as she walked out onto the balcony.
The view was breathtaking. The sun was just coming up, bringing a warm breeze with it. The silver forest below shone as if it were on fire. A silver flame that was lit from within. It was the perfect dawn. Birds were singing and everything. She had a beautiful daughter and Legolas was inside, still sleeping.
As Vanessa looked into Juneau's eyes she remembered a song that she had learned back home in the "real" world. It now seemed a lifetime ago that she had lived there. Juneau was still whimpering and Vanessa began to sing.
Can we touch the soul of heaven
Can we unite a sacred lesson
Every child creates a skylight of beauty
Can you hear cathedrals falling
All the universe is calling
Since the world has lost her way
Loneliness journey endlessly
Yet the promised chance remains
Gifts of that could be
So let the children remember the sun
Let them dance let them soar
For their lives have begun
Let the children engender the rain
As the river runs through fields
Forever subsiding their pain
Prayer
Every voice along the shoreline
Standing still within time
Spinning unresolved the walking
As each season passes
Through Wonderland, looking glasses
The secret garden shire beckons you
Gentle flower don't fade away
Sweet innocence still harbors thee
In the faith of garden dreams
Where one love lives eternally
Let the children remember the sun
Let them dance let them soar
For their lives have begun
Let the children engender the rain
As the river runs through fields
Forever subsiding their pain
Prayer
Bless the children for they are the light
They are the truth of spirit in flight
Yes the children engender the rain
As the river runs through life
Healing their pain
If you could trust with your heart
One more time
Sweet angel conceived
You have forever and always believed
Prayer
As she finished the song, Vanessa realized that Legolas was standing beside her.
"That was beautiful." He said to her as he knelt down and kissed her brow.
"Thank you but it's nothing compared to this sunrise. I've never seen anything like it."
"The sunrise is also nothing compared to Juneau." Legolas whispered as he wrapped his arms around her.
"Nothing is more beautiful than a brand new life beginning." Vanessa said as she leaned back upon his shoulder. He rested his chin upon her head and they both stared down at Juneau, who was smiling happily up at her parents.
Vanessa closed her eyes, enjoying the sweet scents of the morning air, and those of her husband and daughter.
Finally, they had a chance for peace. Real peace.
* *
*
200 years later
Lady Falynn stood on the shores of the Great Western Sea at the mouth of the river Anduin, long after the memory of a girl called Vanessa had faded. She could just barely make out the island of Tolfalas in the distance. She could barely make out anything because the mist was rolling in off of the sea. A gray ship was anchored just off shore. The war of the ring had been over for two hundred years. King Elessar had been dead for eighty years.
The Elves of Ithilien stood a short distance away. They were preparing to accompany their Lord back across the sea to Erressea, Valinor, Elven home.
Juneau stood by Falynn's side. Juneau was young for an Elf but she was the eldest of Falynn and Legolas's six children. She was clad all in black. Juneau was the only one other than Falynn who would not be sailing aboard the gray ship today.
Ever since Aragorn had died Legolas had been longing to sail across the sea. He had never voiced his desire but Falynn knew him too well. Finally convinced him to leave. She knew that her time in Middle-Earth was ending as well.
On this day, Legolas would sail the gray ship that they had built in Ithilien and he would go to Valinor. Taking the remaining elves of Ithilien, their five remaining children, and Gimli with him.
Gimli was a very old Dwarf and his race was dying out in Middle-Earth. The only reason that he chose to leave was because he was dying and he greatly desired to see the Lady Galadriel again.
Falynn's five younger children Gavin, Kale, Thrandorn, Latara, and Arwen would also sail across the sea. Juneau, however, refused to leave.
Once they left, the only Elves left in Middle-Earth would be Elladan, Elrohir, Celeborn, and Juneau.
When Falynn looked up again she realized that the other Elves and Gimli had already boarded the ship. Her family now approached her. Her eldest son, Gavin, stepped forward and embraced his mother one last time.
"We'll miss you mother." Her second son, Kale said as Gavin backed away.
"What about me Kale? Are you glad to be rid of me then?" Juneau said teasingly.
"Of course not sister." Kale said as he went and embraced his eldest sister.
"Why can't you come with us mother?" Arwen burst out. She was the youngest and she had been named for Queen Arwen. The young Elf girl had an uncanny resemblance to the now dead queen of Gondor.
"I am mortal. You six have chosen to be Elf-kind." She said, addressing her children. "Juneau could go if she wished to but she has made up her mind."
Latara, the third daughter, stepped forward and burst into tears as she hugged her mother and sister.
"Are you certain that you don't want to come Juneau?" the youngest son, Thrandorn asked her.
Juneau drew herself up bravely.
"I have decided." She said.
Finally the five young Elves left to board the ship.
Legolas embraced his wife and first-born daughter for the final time, knowing that it was more than likely that he would never see them again.
"Are you two sure that you don't want to go with us?" Legolas asked them, holding back his sorrow.
"Why should I want to see Valinor, I am mortal." She whispered to him.
"And I will not leave mother here all alone." Juneau said.
Legolas laughed and kissed her on the cheek. Then he turned back to Falynn and kissed her one last time. For a long while he held her in his arms, memorizing her scent and feeling. Finally they released each other and Legolas slowly backed away from them.
"I will miss you two so much." He said, the pain in his voice plain to be heard.
Then he boarded the ship at last and it began to sail away. He stood at the stern for a long while and looked back upon his loved ones.
Falynn and Juneau stood on the shore and watched the ship sail away with their family until it faded away into the morning mist. The last thing that Falynn saw of it was Legolas's tear-stained face. Falynn and her daughter now stood all alone on the cold shore of the sea.
"Are we shut out of Erressea mother?" Juneau asked as she tearfully hugged Falynn.
"You may go there one day my daughter. But I will never see the utter west. My time here is over."
"What do you mean by that?" Juneau asked.
But Falynn did not answer. She broke away from her daughter's embrace and walked ever closer to the lapping surf, until she was at last standing in the water.
Suddenly, the world faded away from Falynn's eyes and a great cloud of mist enveloped her.
When the mist withdrew, Falynn was gone. So ended the Fellowship of the Ring in Middle-Earth.
* *
*
"Vanessa? Vanessa!"
As the world came back into focus, Falynn began to see three girls kneeling over her. Girls that she had not seen in nearly two hundred years.
"Tiffany? Allison? Nicole?" Falynn said as she tried to sit up. "What happened?"
"We were doing the ritual like we always do and right after we finished it you just...passed out." Tiffany said with concern.
Falynn rushed over to the mirror that hung beside the television set. The Elf ears that she had gotten so used to were once again fake imitations. What happened? Had it all been a dream.
"Look, Vanessa, maybe we should just leave. You're tired." Nicole said as the three of them rose from the floor.
As they climbed the stairs Falynn just sat there, staring at the mirror. It couldn't have been a dream. It just couldn't have been! It was far too real. Suddenly Falynn knew how she could get proof. She pulled the neckline of her costume down. The flower charm wasn't there. It really had happened. All of it.
Slowly she climbed the stairs into the kitchen. Her "parents" had already gone to bed. As if she were in a trance she climbed the next set of stairs, somehow she remembered where her bedroom was. When she reached it she crossed to the window and opened it wide. Softly she cried out into the starlit night.
"I'll always love you Legolas."
She didn't even bother changing before collapsing upon her bed.
* *
*
Falynn never really got over her return to the mortal world. She eventually left her parents' house, in search of what she had lost. Even though she knew that she wouldn't find it in that world.
She died a broken woman.
But as she was dying, the Lady Elbereth came to her and allowed her to pass beyond the circles of the world.
* *
*
Legolas was standing on the shores that looked out over the sea. It had been many long years since he had left his wife standing on that far away shore. Suddenly his eyes opened wide in surprise, for there seemed to be a canoe of sorts drifting towards Erressea out of the mists that surrounded it. Immediately he rushed forward into the water and he saw a figure crouched over in the canoe.
He nearly fell back in shock when he realized that the figure was Falynn. When she finally raised her face to his he saw the years lift from her face. She rose from the canoe and promptly collapsed into Legolas's arms. She then began to sob almost helplessly.
"Oh Legolas, I have had such sadness." She said through her tears.
He simply held her closer, comforting her. He was so happy that he didn't even bother to question how she had come to be there. Legolas had thought that he would find contentment when he reached Erressea, but it had not been so. He had been lonesome and forlorn without her.
Now they could finally be together in peace. With no war or death or suffering to part them ever again.
* *
*
Their daughter, Juneau, never came to Valinor. She remained in Middle- Earth ever after, searching for her mother with Elrohir by her side. Even after Elladan and Celeborn departed and they were the only Elves remaining in Middle-Earth.
But that's not this story. This story is done.
This is the end of the first tale of Falynn of Ithilien.