Author Notes: After reading and revising the entire story, from beginning to end, I realize that there was a few discrepancy with Tolkien. Noting the time when I first wrote this story, I was only introduced to the world of Lotr by Peter Jackson's theatrical rendition. Now, a few years later, with a bit more knowledge of Middle Earth and its denizens, I hope that you will enjoy this epilogue which will tie up a few loose ends for Truly Belong.

Truly Belong

Epilogue

A lone figure emerged from the shadows, to bathe in the moon rays that penetrated through the clouds that illuminate the tallest towers of Minas Tirith. It was a full moon and he allowed himself to be caressed by the serenity of the night. Aragorn, son of Arathorn, now formerly crowned as King Elessar Telcontar, ruler of all free people of the West, stood in solitude, gazing outwards. The coronation was magnificent, but in his mind, he could not but dwell on the losses which brought him to the throne.

The people of Middle Earth did not truly understand how precarious their lives had been, how close they came to be the servants of the Dark Lord. Yet, there were few who did but even fewer who understood the significance of that loss. Aragorn sighed into the moonlight.

"What thoughts trouble you this night, Elendil's heir?"

Aragorn was startled but was unalarmed as he turned and bowed slightly to greet Galadriel, the Lady of the Golden Woods. With a swish of her gown, she stood gracefully beside him. The moonlight reflected upon her ring, one wrought of mithril. So bright, it glistened in the twilight.

"You seek not the peace from the Evenstar but upon stars that shine no more."

"I count myself blessed to be the presence of Arwen Undomiel for she had bear her heart to a mortal Man such as I. Yet ..."

"Your heart is troubled, guilt-ridden for this happiness."

'How could he not?' Middle Earth had lost something precious that day, more precious than the Ring of Power but the power of everlasting loves.

"You mourn the death of Legolas Thranduilion," she stated.

Aragorn closed his eyes in reminiscence. He had carried the Elven Princes' body back to the citadel. The Elf was bestowed the honour that rival the greatest Kings as a friend, as a fallen comrade. Aragorn recalled the anguish in Thranduil's eyes when he arrived with the missive from Mirkwood. Legolas had left parting words for the Elven monarch and whatever words passed remained with the correspondents themselves. The twin blades from the Prince was returned and placed reverently in Thranduil's hands. What mistrust that the Elven King harboured against Men and Dwarves was replaced with mutual admiration and love for the Prince.

Then, there was the funeral. Legolas' body was placed upon the pyre and the fires burned releasing his fea to the Halls of Mandos. The Elf die, not from battle but rather from grief. He mourned deeply the loss of Lady Serenity, Sovereign of the White Moon, Guardian of the Imperium Silver Crystal, Carrier of the Last Crown. They were lovers who sought solace and comfort in each other, hoping to find reprieve in their respective duties. Their relationship was not based on physical attractions but the light of their souls. They were brought to deliverance when the Moon Maiden had sacrificed herself in her attack against Lord Sauron as they plunged in the fiery chasms of Mount Doom. It was this that Middle Earth survived.

Aragorn reopened his eyes to see Lady Galadrel peering at him with her omniscient eyes.

"Did you foresee such a fate?" he asked almost childishly.

The Lady raised her brows and tilted her head sideways in such a manner that resembled Lord Elrond's stance when he questioned the wrongdoings of his sons. "The mirror shows many paths, things that were ... things that are ... and things that have not yet come to pass. It foreshadows the downfall of Middle Earth, yet, it still stands. Each decision leads us to a different path, a different outcome. The future is not etched in stone, Elessar."

"I wish to have said goodbye to him..."

"And bear to let him go?"

Aragorn bit his bottom lip at this but he knew that this was the truth. He would not have the strength to let the Elf go, nor could Gimli, or Eowyn, the Hobbits ... Legolas knew them too well.

"Legolas wished for hope during your reign, Estel."

"And, she would have spoken likewise."

"Certainly, no truer words was spoken, Aragorn, for they were in love!"

Aragorn turned sharply at this. Galadriel spoke as if she was a young elvellon experiencing her first love. She allowed herself a smile, the enigmatic one which intrigued Gimli, Gloin's son upon their first meeting.. Of course, she had noted the fleeting glances, the innocent touches that the royal couple had bestowed on each other during their stay in Lorien. She had once caught them in amongst the mallorn trees, gazing towards the sky, speaking of loving nothings to each other's ears. They constructed their own sanctuaries, sacred against the dangers around them. They were simply Legolas and Serena, free of titles and burdens which fate had placed upon their shoulders.

"Do you recall the gifts which I gave the Fellowship upon the departure from Lorien?"

"Certainly, Lady." Aragorn was surprise at the seemingly-random question but knowing Galadriel, there was certainly no coincidence for any of her inquiries.

"She desired nothing, but I gave Serenity these parting words, the gift of finding her heart's greatest desire during the hour of need."

"Do you think that she has?" he asked expectantly, like a child who was waiting for his long-wished-for yuletide gift.

"His fea would eventually be freed from Mandos and joined those in Valinor, but for ultimate path of Lady Serenity, it is not my decree but that of her destiny. Hope resonates, even with the death of each star. Look."

She pointed to the distant skies, the myriad of mahogany, blue, and silver tones. There in the full moon, a shooting star streamed passed. Aragorn wondered briefly of the journey of the Last Crown as it willfully sought for a new destination, bringing hope to the first Lunarians upon the Moon. Perhaps, this was the remnants of that purity.

At that thought, he was strangely tranquil. He would live on, with the love of his life, with the support of Faramir as his Steward and his friends, Gimli, Eomer, Eowyn, Merry, Pippin, Sam and Frodo. He was blessed many times over, to be alive to see the dawn of the Fourth Age, the Age of Men. "Hannon le, mellon. May your hearts be at peace." With these words, he blew a kiss hoping that it would carry to the hearts of Legolas and Serenity.

He bowed, taking his leave of Galadriel who watched his retreating back until she turned to gaze outwards toward the full moon. The night breeze wove through the calmness of the night, ruffling her dress and her golden tresses. She shall depart of the West, simply as Galadriel but even without Elven magic, in her heart, she had hopes ... She smiled knowingly into the night before mouing into the shadows.

Elves were described as the children of the stars. Always they will sought comfort in their illuminance. Even in their Elven dreams, their eyes remained partly opened, gazing upwards. She too, was part of this creation, as Cosmos, the lone scout who had been reincarnated many times over as its guardian, as its saviour. She was its defender of love and justice. Hope could never extinguish for the emergence of the universe is from a single cauldron. Always, with the death of each ephemeral twilight, another will be reborn to find a place where they truly belong in the course of this world.

Fin

Now, this is officially done. I hope you enjoy this little journey with me. I like to end the fic on a hopeful note because the end of chap 25 was too angsty. Reread this fic because I did make changes to them. Nothing drastic but I think it's a lot easier to read now. It is very exhausting to write such a long fic but in any case, I would like to extend my thank yous again to all those readers out there, both old and new.

I would let you know that the chances of doing something more with this fic (ie. sequel) would be slim to none. What occurs after remains as the imagination of the reader.

Currently, I have been writing a series of one-shots, focussing on Legolas and Faramir in the Lotr universe. As well, I do periodically write GW/SM fics. You're welcome to check those out. Anyways, thank you once again and I hope to see you in some of my future endeavours. Much love from Eyes-of-Pearl!