Hello all,

Another chapter uploaded! Finally!

I have started writing some other stories, as I have been stuck for a long time on how to continue writing this story.

I started this story when I was still in the first years of secondary school (I'm Dutch, we go to secondary school, or high school if you will, from the age 11 or 12 until 16 to 18, depending on the kind of schooling). God, that just seems so long ago. And it has been more than 10 years already. I am no longer the person I was then, and that has made it difficult to continue a story that was first written by a girl who was so certain she would not live into adulthood, and yet, here I am, almost 25 now. I am not done with this story yet, I think, because I feel that there's still a lot to be written, but I am not sure when I'll write again. However, no guarantees.

I am also, as of yet, unsure whether or not to upload any of my other creations, as none of them are even close to being finished, and a lot more mature themed than this one... So, jury is still out on that.

For those of you that have supported me over the years, thank you, so much. This platform has been an escape for me, for which I am so grateful. I am, finally, starting to feel like I might actually survive my depression, even with everything else that has happened. Who knows, maybe one day I'll actually finish this story!

Anyway, here is a new chapter. I am currently writing the next, so I hope to upload that one soon as well.

As always,

Love,

BitterStrength

A deafening roar pierced the calm of early evening as blue scales descended from the sky at neck-breaking speed. As the huge shape approached the column, it seemed to be looking for something.

Or rather, someone, as it turned out.

Saphira landed smack in the middle of the final part of the column, and knocked over the elf she'd been searching for.

You are well, Arya?

"Saphira, yes, I am well, thank you. Have you been worried?" Arya answered from where she lay underneath the scrutiny of the impressively sized dragon.

Saphira snorted. You may not find yourself in trouble as often as my rider, but you still only have two legs. Until you are as big as me and can fly fast as the wind away from danger, I shall worry. Now, tell those annoying two-legs to stop screeching. Their chatter annoys me.

Arya laughed as Saphira puffed clouds of smoke towards the soldiers surrounding them.

"Saphira?" a timid voice sounded from nearby as two hobbits came into view.

Small ones.

"Did you find Frodo and Sam? Are there here? Are they well?" Pippin fired of in rapid speech.

The other small ones are here. One resides in the herb-smelling sickness building. The other is very flattering and skittish, although I shall hold him to his promise of the barrels of drink.

"Dragon," Gimli greeted Saphira, causing Legolas and Aragorn to look at him in amazement. They all knew of Gimli's prejudices due to the problems that occurred during his father's lifetime. "I hope the mountain didn't cause any undue problems."

It did not, thank you, Saphira smiled.

"Then let us enter the city," Aragorn suggested kindly. "I am certain there are many who wish to be reunited with loved ones."

"Have you seen Lucy?" Edmund asked gently.

She is around somewhere. She mostly spends her time in the market or with the little two-legs. I suspect she'll find you.

"I'm sure," Peter smirked. "Shall we?"

All the companions agreed and with all possible haste made their way into the city.

They had barely passed the hastily repaired gates when a voice called out.

"Edmund! Peter! Susan!" called Lucy as she sped towards them and threw herself into Edmund's arms, before embracing her other siblings, which was a bit awkward as Susan was still held in Legolas' arms. "Oh thank Aslan, you're alive! Are you alright?"

"We're fine, Lu," Peter assured his youngest sibling. "Susan was hurt, but she'll be fine. And other than exhausted, the worst off we are, are some minor injuries. Nothing a few days of rest won't fix."

"Thank Aslan! I was so worried!"

"We're here, Lu," Susan said softly.

"And you're not leaving any time soon!" Lucy scolded, before she turned to the rest of the company. "And all of you?"

"Nothing more than some scratches, my lady," Gimli grumbled.

"Good. Now, I sent up a messenger to prepare warm food and warm baths for all of you, so we should go up to the citadel," the Valiant Queen informed them before she led them up to the citadel, talking all the while about the wonderful people and places she had seen since they last saw each other. "Oh, and Sam, dear Sam, he is undoubtedly to be found with Mr Baggins. He has been fretting continuously over the past few days, as Mr Baggins has yet to wake up, but he should wake up any day now. I fear that the journey took too much out of him, and his mind is simply not yet ready to join us yet. Physically he is well though! Not to worry! He was quite a sight when Gandalf and the Eagles, along with Saphira and Eragon, brought him back, but my cordial worked just as it should and healed him right up. He may be a bit weak still, and he'll have to take it easy for a bit, but there should be no complications. We've taken to feeding him some honey-water to keep up his strength, but as soon as he can eat, he'll recover much faster. Sam has rarely left his side. He'll be thrilled to see you all again, I'm sure," she rattled on as they walked.

Edmund visibly relaxed, relieved to have his family complete and safe again. He would never again take them for granted, as he had that one time with the White Witch. He never wanted to be parted.

It took a little while, but eventually they reached the citadel, where Lucy led them to the quarters they had previously occupied.

Legolas carried Susan to the door to the room she shared with Lucy. It was only then, that he gently lowered the Gentle Queen to her feet.

"Will you be alright from here?" he inquired softly.

"I'll manage," Susan smiled. "And Lucy can help me, I'm sure."

"I'm glad you're well."

"As am I. Thank you, Legolas," Susan told him sincerely. "For all that you have done for me. I cannot tell you how much it means to me."

"It was my honour, my Queen," Legolas answered. "I will leave you now. Please, rest. We shall meet again when you feel up to it."

"And you, take care of yourself as well, please."

"I shall."

"Until the next time, then."

"Until we meet again."

After everybody had the chance to bathe, eat and sleep for a while, the remaining members of the original fellowship met up to go visit Frodo. To keep from overwhelming him, Gandalf was the only one to enter the room, while everybody else waited in the courtyard near to his room.

Frodo was lying in bed, his hand bandaged where his finger was missing. Slowly, the sound of bird song filtered into the room, and after a few moments, Frodo opened his eyes for the first time in days.

He sat up and came across a sight he had not expected.

"Gandalf?"

Gandalf smiled and began to laugh. It took but a few unbelieving intakes and a cheerful gasp before Frodo joined him.

It was at that point that Merry and Pippin filtered into the room.

"Frodo!" Merry exclaimed before he and Pippin rushed over and jumped up on the bed with their fellow hobbit. They immediately start to catch Frodo up on all that he's missed, all the while hugging and laughing.

Gimli is next through the door, and is greeted warmly by the phenomenal hobbit. He is shortly thereafter followed first by Legolas, and then by Aragorn.

After a few moments, the last person enters the room. Sam. He shares a fond but slightly haunted look with Frodo as they smile at each other gently, both relieved to be alive, yet forever changed by their experiences.

On the other side of the city, another reunion takes place as Eragon and Arya meet up again.

"Kvetha, Arya svit-kona," Eragon greets her as he sees her. "I am glad to see you are well. How was the return journey?"

"Eragon," she returned. "There was some trouble with Queen Susan. She was injured and poisoned. Through joined effort, however, we managed to save her. Other than that, there were no troubles."

"Good, I'm glad."

"How have you been?"

"I have been studying as much as I can, before we return home. One can never know enough. It has been interesting to read the history of this land. Their records go further than even ours."

"You'll have to tell me about it some time. For now, I believe I simply wish to sit in a garden and enjoy the moment."

As everybody recovered from the latest battle, the knowledge began to sink in that they were now safe. The war had been won. After many centuries, Sauron had finally been defeated for good. They could rebuild.

And as that sank in, so did the fact that there was now someone who could take up the mantle of King of Gondor, for the first time since King Eärnur in the year 2050 of the Third Age, nearly 70 years before.

During the days that followed, all sorts of preparations were made for the coronation of King Aragorn II Elessar.

The Kings and Queens of Narnia were of great aid in the process, as they themselves had been crowned once upon a time, and despite the differences between their lands and people, they managed to uphold Gondorian tradition whilst also keeping the costs low, and the outcome beautiful in its simplicity, as had been the case in their own coronation.

Finally, the day of the coronation came.

Aragorn ascended the steps to the Hall of Kings, where he kneeled before Gandalf. Gandalf took the crown from the pillow in Gimli's hands, raised it high for all to see, and then slowly lowered it upon Aragorn's head.

"Now come the days of the King," Gandalf spoke loud and clear. "May they be blessed."

Aragorn rose to his feet, moved up to the uppermost step and turned to his people.

Applause and cheers met him and would have kept going if not for Aragorn raising his hand.

"This day does not belong to one man," he spoke. "But to all. Let us together rebuild this world, that we may share in the days of peace."

More cheers were released into the sky, as petals from the tree of the King began to fall upon them.

"Et Eärello Endorenna utúlien. Sinomë maruvan ar Hildinyar tenn' Ambar-metta," Aragorn sang stately before descending the stairs and walking through the crowds of his people.

All around him people bowed to him. Faramir and Eowyn among the first, followed by Eomer. After a few minutes of greeting his people, he came upon a delegation of Elves, with Legolas in front.

Legolas and Aragorn approached each other and each place a hand upon the other's shoulder.

"Hannon-le," Aragorn spoke.

Legolas smiled at him and gestured behind himself.

Puzzled Aragorn looked behind his friend to see a banner of Gondor. Slowly the banner moved away to reveal Arwen and her father. Elrond whispered to Arwen to approach the newly crowned king.

Arwen came forward hesitantly, and bowed to Aragorn. Aragorn gently took the banner from her and passed it off to someone near them, before raising Arwen's face lovingly with his hand. Arwen only has a second to smile at him before Aragorn passionately kissed her, causing all around them to smile and clap for the couple, including Lord Elrond. After a few more moments together, they walked on through the crowd, hand in hand.

Eventually they came to the raised platform where four hobbits stood uncertainly. The hobbits rapidly and clumsily bowed to the King.

"My friends," Aragorn said gently. "You bow to no-one."

Aragorn kneeled before them, quickly followed by the rest of the people.

Translations:

Quenya: Et Eärello Endorenna utúlie. Sinomë maruvan ar Hildinyar tenn' Ambar-metta = Out of the Great Sea to Middle-Earth I am come. In this place I will abide, and my heirs, unto the ending of the world.