Disclaimer: Don't own Lord of the Rings or profit from this writing.

Author's Notes: Finally done! It actually makes me sad : ( Hopefully it fits everyone's expectations.

Chapter 37: New Beginnings

"Well, you already know how everyone got married," Khanwen began. "I'll tell you more details later," she added with a grin. "The ring bearers, as you know, sailed to the undying lands. Your father and your nephews, as well as Haldir and myself, remained in Middle Earth. I wanted to spend as much time with Theresa, Liesel, and Eowyn as possible. Ah, Alena, they were all so happy together. It is what mortals on earth always try to capture: true love, happiness, everything. We," she said gesturing to Haldir, "sailed here after Faramir had passed on. He was the last before Arwen and Aragorn. I couldn't bear to watch Arwen die," she added.

"We sailed a few years before them," Celeborn told his daughter. "Your nephews wanted to remain with their sisters, but she had told us she wished to be alone."

"She returned to Cerin Amroth," Elmarta said. She knew this part and everyone nodded. "That is when Legolas and Gimli sailed as well," Elmarta said.

"The biggest surprise of my long life, I think," Gimli said with a large smile, "to know I'd be blessed to be in the company of the Great Lady once again." Elmarta and her mother wore matching smiles.

"Legolas led the Ithilien elves," Khanwen said. "I don't think you know that. Lord Celeborn helped to establish it, but after Lord Elrond left the shores, Lord Celeborn remained in Rivendell." Elmarta smiled when she heard this. Everyone continued to talk and tell stories to catch Elmarta up on the happenings. Sunset had passed and the stars were shining brightly.

Elmarta walked to the window. "I believe I would like to see the real stars as Varda made them," she said happily. She walked outside to see the world and was thankful Legolas came with her. "You must have been an excellent leader," she said as they walked down the path. "I could always see you as one. I always told you so."

Legolas smiled. "I always pictured you there ruling with me, though. You had more of a knack than I. You take after your parents." After a pause he finally said, "You know, I thought the seven years you were on earth felt like the longest years of my life. In a sense, not knowing where you were or what happened to you did make them seven horrible years. But, in hindsight, these past 83 years have been even worse."

"What happened during these years?"

"After Estel's coronation and wedding, I traveled around with the rest of the fellowship to everyone else's weddings. Part of me was ready to sail for these shores now. Khanwen and Haldir were able to bear with me and keep me on Middle Earth."

Elmarta laughed. "I can see them forcing you to be happy. Ah, those two! They get it into their heads that something should be a certain way and may the Valar protect anyone who gets in their way! It was why Haldir was such a wonderful March Warden."

Legolas laughed. "They certainly took it upon themselves to make certain that I remained, traveled with Gimli, everything you would have wanted. They wanted to make sure what you would have done happened." They paused so Elmarta could overlook the ocean.

"It's breathtaking," Elmarta said, "seeing all this after hearing tales for so long. Everything is more beautiful than I had ever imagined. Please continue."

"After everyone settled down I traveled with Gimli for a few years. Then I returned to find Aragorn busy with both his duties as king and being stressed over Arwen's first pregnancy," he said. "You would have teased all of them mercilessly for their behavior. I have never seen such doting behavior." Elmarta laughed imagining how Boromir, who already worshiped Theodwyn, would be when she was pregnant. "Gimli and I brought some of our kinfolk to help with the rebuilding of the White City. Your father helped as I traveled with Gimli. It was awhile after I returned that your father returned to Rivendell to take over after Lord Elrond had left. Some of the elves decided to remain in Ithilien, even though there were dwarves," he added with a grin. Elmarta secretly thought how much she had missed his grin.

"They asked me to remain to guide them. Gimli had also become leader over his clan with his father's passing." She knew that even on these shores Legolas was still looked to for leadership and advice after his participation in the war and then leading the Ithilien elves.

"I met Gloin," Elmarta said. "He is even more stubborn than Gimli," she said with a laugh.

"Melin tiriad chin gîn calar ir gladbach," he said making Elmarta blushed. "Even with Gimli, Khanwen, everyone trying to keep life going, it wasn't the same with you gone. I kept wondering if you had been returned to Valinor yet, how long you would be in the Halls, who you would meet once you left," he said. (a/n: I love to see your eyes shine when you laugh)

"I've been in the Halls wondering what you have been doing. You have been alive these past 83 years. I wanted them to be happy, . . . but not to happy," she admitted.

Legolas laughed. Elmarta asked for him to sing, so he sang about Estel and Arwen's reign. They looked out over the undying lands. "Ce I veleth o chuil nîn. Nin melithal an uir? Nin bestathal." (A/N: You are the love of my life. Will you love me for eternity? Marry me)

"Geril veleth nîn an uir," Elmarta said. "Of course I want to marry you. It certainly took us long enough." (A/N: You are the love of my life for eternity)

"I would say tomorrow," he said with a cheeky grin, "but your mother cautioned me that we should wait a week. I think they want to make sure it is a feast like we have never seen."

Elmarta laughed. "I would rather have it tomorrow as well," she admitted as they laid on the ground and looked up at the stars. "But I think I can wait a week. After all, we will have eternity after that."

He propped himself on his side and looked at her. "I am sorry, melethril. I know how much you wanted to see them again."

She nodded and wasn't ashamed she teared up. "I almost wish I could spend eternity in the halls, just to spend time with them. If you and Khanwen could join me there, it would have been perfect. Half the people I love are separated from me for eternity now," she said, "and I didn't get to see them again." They spent the entire evening talking outside reminiscing about old times before the war and making plans for the future then watched the beautiful sunrise.

Around dawn she headed back to her parent's house. She wasn't surprised to see most everyone was still there. Gimli had fallen asleep but Galadriel had let him sleep in one of the extra rooms in the house. "In his age he needs the comfort of a nice bed," she had said with a smile.

"So?" Khanwen asked excitedly. "Are you still having the wedding at the end of the week?"

Elmarta laughed. Some things didn't change it seemed. "Yes, melon nin," she said. "Whatever day my mother believes to be correct," she said looking to her mother.

"I have plans already started," Celebrian said happily. "It is the least I can do after all this time."

The week flew by quickly. It seemed Elmarta was never alone and she was beginning to think no one wanted to let her out of their sight. She lived with Galadriel and Celeborn until she would marry Legolas. Celebrian spent most of her days helping Elmarta and Galadriel planning the wedding feast, reuniting mother and daughters for the first time in almost 2 ages. Khanwen was with them more often than not, and Elmarta was happy to get to know the elleths who married her nephews.

Finally, the evening arrived and Elmarta was slightly surprised by how many elfs were at the wedding feast as well as the fact that their were some Maiarin attendence. Their were elves who had lived in CarasGaladhon, Rivendell, Mirkwood, and Ithilien. Gimli surprised her by making a circlet for her that matched Legolas's for when he ruled in Ithilien. She kissed him making the old dwarf blush. "I made it long ago, Elmarta, as part of the set that Legolas wore the other half to, a pair, and hoped to be able to give it to you in person. The valor have kindly blessed the wish of an old dwarf. It was made for you alone."

"I shall treasure it for eternity, Gimli," she said honestly. The craftsman ship was extraordinary, but she loved how he put so much thought into it all those years ago.

"The Valor have a present of their own," Ëonwë, a maiar and herald to Manwe, announced. Elmarta and Legolas exchanged shocked looks. She glanced at her mother but noticed she didn't seem surprised. "As one of Iluvitar's chosen, it seemed only appropriate that you should be rewarded for your trials," he continued.

Legolas squeezed her hand and she exchanged looks with Khanwen who looked like she was about to loose her elvish composure. "Being chosen should be reward enough," Elmarta said. "I could ask for no more." She had no idea why they would reward her, particularly after the nasty remarks she had said over two centuries ago.

The maiar simply smiled and motioned towards the courtyard where the Halls of Mandos were visible behind it. The sun was setting casting lovely shades of orange and violet over the courtyard. Elmarta realized she was holding her breath as she saw figures walking in the distance. Legolas's grip strengthened on her hand as the entire party watched the figures in the distance approach.

"I think I am loosing my elvish eyesight," Khanwen, who was further down the wedding table, whispered and Elmarta could hear the tears in her voice. "That, or I have finally succumbed to some earth malady that has been slow in messing with my mind."

"Then we have all caught it," Haldir said grabbing her hand. Her other hand was squeezing his arm so hard he thought he might bruise.

"Is this a trick?" Elmarta asked. "Sweet heavens, I always say the wrong thing. I mean, how is this possible?"

"A choice was offered for the service of those during the war," a maiar of Mandos spoke up. "The rest would be better explained by them."

Forgetting composure Khanwen rushed from the table and straight to Lothiriel, practically knocking them both over. "Sweet Valar! Is it really you?" she said laughing and turned to Theodwyn. "And today of all days!"

"I have a feeling that was pre-arranged," Elmarta said and turned to her mother who was on her right. "You saw this?" she asked.

"I could think of no better gift for my daughter's wedding day," she nodded. She touched her hand on Elmarta's cheek. "Rejoice with your friends, my love." Elmarta kissed Galadriel's cheek and with Legolas by her side, went to meet the others.

"We interrupted your wedding!" Eowyn said. "Please, continue!"

"It will be much better with you here," Elmarta said hugging her. She kissed Faramir and then Boromir and Eomer. She turned and Theodwyn and Lothiriel launched themselves at her talking at the same time. "We missed you so much, Alena," they said.

"And to think we are here for your wedding!"

"Are you here just for the wedding?" Elmarta asked.

Everyone shook their heads. "No, Alena, but we will discuss this tomorrow. For now, get married!" Lothiriel laughed. "Marriage life is wonderful. And I don't think Legolas will give you half the headaches this one gave me," she teased pointing at Eomer.

"First explain this to me," Elmarta said shaking her head. "I think I am still in denial."

"Mandos brought us before him. Let's say our adjustment was . . . less than idyllic," Theodwyn said.

"He said for what we did, going to Earth with you and everything after during The War, that we were offered the opportunity to join you and Khanwen here," Lothiriel continued.

"Imagine my surprise when the same offer was made to me," Eowyn said. "But you made me a part of your fellowship, everyone told me so, and the Valar also considered your word binding on the matter."

"What if I said you were a toad?" Elmarta teased.

"They offered us the opportunity to rejoin you here," Lothiriel said.

"For how long?" Khanwen asked keeping her fingers crossed. "For eternity, until the end of all things?" When the others nodded Elmarta thought Khanwen might have heart palpitations making her the first elf to suffer a stroke. "How?"

"We had to give up our birth right as the second born," Boromir said speaking up. Seeing Theodwyn happily rejoined with Khanwen and Elmarta, and all the girls able to be together again, was certainly worth (in his mind, anyways) any sacrifice.

"No . . ." Elmarta said surprised. She looked at all of them. "All of you would give that up?"

"And Estel?" Legolas asked.

"Estel and Arwen were not offered it," Theodwyn said sadly.

"Arwen made her choice long ago," Galadriel said speaking up. Elmarta saw Celebrian put her hand comfortingly on Elrond's hand.

After talking for several more minutes, everyone made room for the new arrivals and the feast continued on. Elmarta and Legolas left later to say their vows in private.

"Where . . . this sounds ridiculous, but where shall we sleep?" Eowyn asked laughing.

"We have room for two of you," Khanwen said. The twins each said they had room for a couple in their homes as well. "We can find homes for you nearby! You will love Valinor! I think I am going to wake up and find this is all a dream," she said shaking her head. "I'm probably going to be heartbroken in the morning."

"I am afraid you are stuck with us for all eternity," Lothiriel said squeezing her hand.

"As it should be," Theodwyn said solemnly.

author's notes: I just want to say a huge thank you to all of my readers and all my faithful reviewers! I can't believe this is over. This story was more successful than I would have guessed when I started it. Over 20,000 hits!!!!! Thank you!!!!!

For people who are probably wondering why I made this choice possible for them, I looked over the many first born who were allowed to forsake their birthright as firstborn by the Valar, so I thought, Why shouldn't the second born be able to give up their birthright as well? Hopefully there aren't to many angry readers : )

I have a prequel/sequel to this story, of which I have the first 2 chapters up. It will basically cover the four girls's story from before, during, and after The War of the Rings. If there is any interest I'll keep posting it (but postings will probably be random until june). It is called Compliance: Before the Beginning which is experiencing very slow updates...