Disclaimer: See Chapter One

A/N: Just a final epilogue to wrap the story up. Happy reading!

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Epilogue

Legolas wandered aimlessly through the palace gardens of Minas Tirith, basking in the warm afternoon sun as he inhaled the fragrant aromas of the flowers around him. The weeks following the destruction of the Ring and their resulting victory over Sauron's forces had been a blur of activity. They had arrived in Minas Tirith as heroes, the grateful masses greeting them with much warmth and enthusiasm. With an even greater enthusiasm, the people of Gondor had embraced their new king, who had settled easily into the job, as if ordained by destiny. Which, Legolas smiled, it was. Gondor's King was home. Then came the arrival of Arwen, who, with her father's subsequent blessing, had relinquished her immortality with a joyful heart and pledged herself to the man she loved. Gondor, and Aragorn, had their Queen.

Following the marriage of Gondor's new royalty had been the wedding of Faramir and Eowyn. As Eowyn was the only remaining heir to the thrown of Rohan, the pair had readily accepted the crown of Rohan as King and Queen, much to the delight of their new subjects, who loved them as heroes and saviors.

Legolas laughed softly as he recalled Aragorn and Boromir's reaction to the couple's news:

"You?" Boromir had chuckled. "A King?"

"The Steward of Gondor had insulted the King of Rohan." Faramir had cried in feigned indignation, drawing his sword. A thoughtful look had crossed his face and with a bow he had passed the sword over to his new bride. "Here, my love." he had said, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "You are better with a sword. You teach this rogue a lesson."

"I yield!" Boromir said quickly, holding his hands up in defeat. "I have seen her in battle and I would not dare quarrel with her."

"Gondor bows to Rohan's might!" said the victorious Faramir. "As it should be."

"More like Gondor bows to Rohan's wife." Small, quiet Frodo had chimed in, much to the laughter of everyone involved.

"You have won this battle, heathen of Rohan." Aragorn had laughed. "But Gondor will prevail once more."

"Perhaps, Gentlemen," the Lady Eowyn had wisely voiced, "We should embrace as allies and celebrate rather than fight."

"The Lady speaks words of wisdom." Aragorn had laughed, taking a drink of his ale. "Celebration over battle."

"Here here." added Boromir, raising his own mug to his lips.

Legolas smiled at the memory as he realized that he was no longer alone in the gardens, but he decided to keep up the illusion of privacy, enjoying a moment alone, using the time to unwind. Finally, the interloper could remain ignored no longer.

"Legolas." Thranduil said gently, joining his son.

"Father." Legolas acknowledged with a smile. "I did not know you were standing there."

"I am sure you did." The elder elf smiled warmly. "Mirkwood calls for my return. I must journey home in the morning."

"I have heard."

"Will you be joining me, my son?"

Legolas sighed contentedly. "With your blessing, I wish to remain here." he said longingly. "Aragorn has given me Ithilien. I wish to start a settlement in the Hills of Emyn Arnen. The elves of Rivendell and Lorien will sail to the Grey Havens soon. Haldir and I believe that some may wish to remain and settle here."

"I think that to be a wonderful idea, my son." said Thranduil warmly. "You have my blessing. Though, should the time come for you to rule Mirkwood, you will do so."

"With all my heart." Legolas pledged. "Mirkwood remains my home."

Thranduil embraced his son. "See me when it is time to leave?"

"Of course, Father." answered Legolas. He watched his father leave, then turned and entered the palace, smiling as he heard the spirited voices of his friends. They all turned towards him as he entered the room.

"Well?" Aragorn asked.

"I will stay." Legolas smiled at the cheers that followed his news.

"That is welcome news." Said Arwen, hugging him tightly.

"Will you stay as well, Gimli?" asked Merry.

"Ai." nodded the Dwarf. "As long as I do not have to hug any trees."

"We must head back to the Shire in the morning." Frodo said sadly. "But we will visit often."

"You had better." smiled Aragorn.

"We must leave as well." Faramir added. "Rohan has called for us to return."

"Why they made you King is beyond me, brother." Boromir smiled. "But you will be a fine leader."

"So, the Quest is complete." said Legolas. "Tomorrow some of us head our separate ways."

"But tonight we celebrate." declared Aragorn. "You have been the best friends and allies a man could ever wish for. A toast," he raised his glass. "to those who have fought for all that is good in Middle Earth, who have overcome adversity and incredibly horrid odds to prevail."

"To the Fellowship." added Legolas. Glasses raised in toast as Sam turned to Frodo.

"Do you think they will ever make a story of our adventure, Mister Frodo?"

"A story? About us, Sam? I would like to think that, one day, someone would. It would be a grand adventure, would it not?"

"A grand adventure, indeed." agreed Sam. "Perhaps I will write our story. I will write about it all. Everything that has happened to us since we came across that Ring. Beginning, perhaps, with Mister Bilbo's birthday party."

Frodo smiled. "I would like to read such a story, Sam, when you are done."

Sam grinned at that. "I will write our story, Mister Frodo." he declared. "As such a grand story should never be forgotten. But," Sam frowned, "I am not certain how it ends."

Frodo looked around and smiled. "And they all lived happily ever after, to the end of their days."

The End.