Well, my dear readers, this marks the end. I have explored all I need to with this story and it feels complete. I am so grateful to all of you who have followed and reviewed! I am very pleased with where this story has gone, and it is all thanks to you. If there is anything you wish me to write about in future please message me. Until then, thank you all so much and happy reading! Please enjoy!

The air was getting colder, and the remaining elves restless for the wood. Dale was relatively well to do, the work done restoring buildings had provided enough to get the people back on track. It was obvious to Bard the elven King wanted to return to his Kingdom, a forlorn sadness in his eyes most days. Granted, much of that sadness had lifted when his wife had awoken, emotions Bard understood. Bard, as he leaned against a stone wall in the town, watched Mourena as she inspected the buildings. As human as she had been, she now seemed far away. Her red hair was mixed with silver, no less becoming but distinctly elven in its colour. She had a way of making people, anyone Bard wagered, fall in love with her. Perhaps, he thought, it was her gentle nature, or the warmth of kindness in her eyes. Physically her beauty was undeniable, but she was unaware of it – no, he thought, she does not care.

"These repairs have been done well." Mourena said, turning to face him, and Bard blinked himself out of his thoughts. "I am glad to see it."

"The help was well received. We could not have done it alone in such a short time." He responded, and she gave him a smile.

"It seems fate was kind enough to deliver us here." She responded.

"You have done much to help us." Bard said softly, "We will never forget it."

"Nonsense. I hardly did anything, or did my lying in a death like state serve some greater purpose I have not been told about." Mourena chuckled, hearing Legolas approach before she saw him.

"I would like to repay you in some way, if I can." Bard said, pushing himself off the wall.

"That can be easily fulfilled." Mourena said, touching the man's arm. "You must come to my wedding, Lord of Dale. Your son as well."

"But you are already married?" Bard said as he saw Legolas appear in the corner of his vision.

"Technically yes, but there still needs to be a ceremony." Mourena blushed and Bard chuckled and nodded. "You understand, I think."

"I would be honored to attend." Bard replied, nodding to Legolas.

"Rinnin-" Legolas said, bowing slightly and Mourena sighed.

"Must I keep repeating myself?" Mourena said, "Just call me by my name."

"-Adar requests your presence." Legolas extended her his arm and she shook her head in defeat. Bard said his farewell and the two made their way back to where ever her husband was sitting, brooding no doubt. "You have healed very well, fate has been kind to us."

"It does seem that way, does it not." Mourena said softly, "If only you could have the same happiness as I, my son." Legolas said nothing, but his eyes flashed with dislike and she smiled. "I am surprised no one has captured your attention."

"I did not know this interested you." Legolas replied, his eyes facing forward.

"One becomes interested in all after sleeping for all eternity." She replied softly, "Your happiness is my own, as is your fathers."

"It does you credit, but my heart is my own." Legolas replied, watching Midhaer as she sat with Suzy in the distance.

"Is Midhaer's heart your own as well?" The elf walking beside her stopped and looked at her sharply, Mourena smiled touching his face gently. "I was asleep, not deaf my dear friend. I know she means much to you."

"Did my father put you up to this?" He questioned.

"You think your father would involve me in a matchmaking process? Honestly Legolas, I doubt he would resort to using me as mediator." Mourena said smoothly, shaking her head as he closed his eyes and shook his head.

"No, he would not," Legolas agreed. "I apologize for my hastiness."

"There is no need." Mourena tapped his arm softly. "You did much for me, by bringing us together I think. Is there no way for me to return the kindness?"

"I do not know." Legolas replied, "I cannot escape what she means to me, yet she resists every affection."

"Ah well." Mourena said, tilting her head to one side. "Perhaps with time, you shall come upon the answer."

"That is all the advice you have to offer?" Legolas asked, sounding surprised and slightly suspicious.

"You could always ask your father?" Mourena replied and Legolas' face flashed annoyance. "Or follow in his footsteps?" His facial expression remained the same, and she chuckled to herself as she stepped away from him. "Your father is calling me, I must away." She walked slowly, unknowingly gliding along until she reached the giant elk that stood outside Thranduil's tent. "Ah my friend," She said, touching the creature softly, "Is it time already?" The creature made a sound, nuzzling her as she touching it's neck and Mourena nodded, looking around.

"Must you insist on disturbing him, he is resting." Thranduil drawled, pushing the fabric aside. He wore his travelling clothes, and he had a robe over his forearm meant for her. "How are you feeling?"

"I am well," She replied, turning to face him, "I assure you, I am. How are you, restless I imagine."

"I have no desire to remain here any longer." Thranduil acknowledged, "I think our business here is finished. Bard the Bowman is now Lord of Dale, his son shall also become Lord of Dale. You have invited both dwarves and humans to our wedding without consulting me. And-"

"I deliberately disobeyed an order to rest to go gallivanting around a half ruined town and make everyone fall in love with me." Mourena smiled at him, stroking the beast gently. "It was the same yesterday. If you mean to frighten me, you shall have think up new material to chastise me with- husband."

"A king never repeats himself."

"Of course, he just, circles the forest a few times before he realises no one is listening." Mourena said softly, watching his face changed into a scowl, and she laughed, reaching a hand out to him. "I tease you, beautiful creature, do not scowl." The elf made a noise and took her hand, pulled her to him and she placed her head on his chest.

"If I scowl it is because I fear losing you." Thranduil whispered, "You cannot wander around without telling someone where you go."

"I was with Bard and Suzy, hardly harmful." Mourena said, stepping back, looking at the cloak. "Is that for me?"

"It was, before you belittled my speech."

"Ah, so-" She titled her head as she pursed her lips in thought. "-you are just going to leave me here?"

The elf snorted, making a sudden movement then engulfed her in fine fabric. As he tied the cloak, she looked up at him softly, watching his face. "I thought elves were immune to human emotions, like jealousy. I did not know it is the sheer impropriety of the notion that angers, the concept is so foreign to you. I am sorry I tease you in such a way."

"I have a strange feeling it will not be the last." He replied and she touched his face, and he bent to kiss her, meeting her lips. "However, I think all will be well in the end."

"Must I go to Rivendell for a year?" She asked, her hand on his arm.

"Do not look downcast, my love." He replied, tilted her head up. "It shall pass in a blink, and we shall be together. I shall visit you when I can. Lord Elrond can teach you much."

"More than the King of the Wood?" She asked softly.

"Some things must be done according to tradition, and you can rest without certain distractions." He responded softly, a soft smile on his face as she blushed.

"The problem is not mine." She replied, a smile on her face. "I can resist so called distractions."

"I do not know to what you refer." Thranduil spoke, picking her up into his arms and placing her onto the elk, who bellowed lightly in response. Swinging himself up behind her, she balanced her side-saddle position by resting on him, her head on his shoulder as he placed an arm around her. The elk made a noise as the elf directed him, his hooves touching the ground with soft thuds. "Now, my love, shall we return?"

"Starlight Prince!" Suzy called as they paused, the beast sniffed the child, the girl stopping in her tracks. "You aren't leaving?"

"No." Thranduil replied. "Not without saying goodbye."

"I knew you wouldn't." Suzy cried, and the elf leaned over, picking the child up into their laps. The elk moved, walking back into the town as the child chatted to them. Reaching Dale, she saw many of them were gathered around Bard, discussing his new status with Legolas. Haldir was bringing horses up, an elf walking beside him.

"Ah, my Lord Thranduil." Bard spoke, and Mourena was helped down with friendly arms after Suzy. "My lady."

"My lord." She replied, Midhaer smiled at Mourena while bowing her head in respect and Mourena waved a hand in the air. "Goodness me, I did not die. Please, cease these informalities, we are friends."

"It is a sad day to see you leave." Bard spoke, "My Lord, you have done so much for us. We shall never forget it."

"Nonsense." Mourena spoke, "What is aid between friends, Bard – Lord of Dale. I take comfort knowing you will lead these people to greatness, restoring peace to Dale. If anyone can achieve such a task, it would be you."

"Rinnin speaks truthfully." Legolas spoke, bowing his head to Mourena with formality and she grimaced. "They could not place such a title on a more worthy subject."

"It is true then," Thranduil drawled, "- and shall remain. The title Lord of Dale shall be passed down through the ages, and shall always find favor in the Woodland realm."

"It is an honor." Bard replied, bowing his head and then giving them both a smile.

"You weren't leaving without saying goodbye, were ya lassie?" A voice said, and she turned, smiling at the dwarf.

"I did not know you were in the city, Master Dwalin." Mourena replied with a smile. "You shall tell them of my departure then."

"Aye, if I must." Dwalin said, his eyes widening in surprise as the woman hugged him. He saw a look of annoyance flash across the King's face and it made him chuckle. "Go now, before ya bring me to tears with your elvish smell."

Mourena chuckled, standing as Bain stood by her. She tilted her head as he handed her a flower, and she smiled softly. "Take care Bain, grow much in the next year, so I don't mistake you for a dwarf."

"I shall try." Bain responded.

"Not too much mind, I don't want to mistake you for troll." Mourena said, and people chucked around them as the boy blushed when she embraced him in a hug. She said nothing as she felt a stirring within her heart, it needed no words. She looked at Thranduil, stepping over to him and standing next to him as she looked around. She knew she would return again, one day; perhaps when Bain was crowned Lord of Dale, she was not sure. Haldir stood nearby. He was to accompany her to as far as Lorien, and then Legolas would accompany Midhaer and herself to Rivendale. The young elven lady stood by Haldir, watching him softly as she spoke. Mourena watched the scene, squeezing Thranduil's forearm lightly. Her life no longer existed in-between worlds, her heart was no longer divided. She doubted not that surprises would come her way, maybe even an adventure or two. Some things were unresolved still, but fate had a funny way of bringing things to a close. Mourena looked up at the elf she called her lover, a smile on her face. "Let us home, Thranduil."