Author's Note: God I cried so much writing these last two chapters. I hate this. But I love Peter Hollens' version of "Into the West," so I used it to write this.

Chapter 20

"Lay down your sweet and weary head. Night is falling. You've come to journey's end. Sleep now. Dream of the ones who came before. They are calling from the across the distance shore." Lord Cirdan had always had a magnificent voice, though not nearly as rich as Gil-galad's. As she listened to his voice from behind her, she remembered, a smile touching her face. Her mind was full of everyone she had lost, though slowly the pain was fading. Arwen had been the last, fading at last in the emptiness of Lorien. Maelith had buried her Queen, leaving behind a ring of flowers for grief, remembrance, and farewell.

Tears leaked from under closed lids, and she did not see them fall into white waves. Her godfather came up from behind her, gently wrapping his arms around her, and continued his song for her. "Why do you weep? What are these tears upon your face? Soon you will see all of your tears will pass away. Safe in my arms, you're only sleeping. What can you see on the horizon? Why do the white gulls call? Across the sea, oceans away, a pale moon rises. The ships have come to carry you home. And all will turn to silver glass. A light on the water all souls pass."

The Noldor had ended. The Fourth Age would be the Time of Men, and Maelith's golden circlet glittered on her unbraided hair. It was an empty crown without an heir, but Naira, Disa, and Pethvain had all left their crowns behind with each of Aragorn's daughters. But Esteleth had not passed her crown on, ending the time of the heirs of hope. "All hope fades into the world of night. Through shadows falling out of memory and time. Don't say 'we have come now to the end.' White shores are calling."

For a moment, she heard a second voice singing with him, and knew the Prince of Greenwood was making her a promise now that she had no more of her own. "You and I will meet again and you'll be here in my arms. Just sleeping."

Turning to rest her head on Cirdan's shoulder, she saw the second smaller ship behind them. A tall, silver blonde figure stood in the bow, a much shorter, white haired friend with him. "What can you see on the horizon? Why do the white gulls call? Across the sea, oceans away, a pale moon rises. The ships have come to carry you home. And all will turn to silver glass. A light on the water, gray ships pass into the West."

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