Ah, summer holidays are here now, so I'll have loads of time to be updating:-) Yay! Although I'm off on holiday on Monday, so I'll be away for a couple of weeks, but just to be nice I'm putting up the last chapter before I leave AND the next story... you lucky people you! ;-)

Deana; Lol, thanks! I quite liked writing that bit; a bit of humour after the sad bit with Arathorn and Gilraen... thanks for reviewing!

Lost-Elf; I'm glad you like Louvel; he was actually an idea that popped into my head whilst writing the chapter. I realised that the way I'd written that chapter with the wolf made it sound as though the wolf was a cold-blooded killer. I didn't like that seeing as wolves are one of my fave animals, so I toyed with the idea of making her a protective parent... problem solved! Yes, a little Hal romance! Lol, I'm actually doing it partly in order to be alright at writing romance once Aragorn meets Arwen... I'm not that good a romance writer but I try, lol! Hmmm... well, we all know that pizza is a life-saving food, lol! ;-) Tell your friend hello from me and that I want pizza too... ;-) Thanks for the lovely long review!

Stoneage Woman; Is he? Where did you find that out? I've looked everywhere to see whether Legolas was Crown Prince or not and it just said it's open to interpretation... I can't KILL Hal! –shakes head- Sorry, but I've become incredibly attached to him... ;-) Ah, sorry about that. I'd been away due to illness; my comp had been gathering dust for 2 months, but I'm fine now:-) Plus, SUMMER HOLIDAYS FOR ME:-D He he he... so lots of lovely updates are coming your way...

LATMC; Thanks! Don't worry, I'll keep updating... ;-) Well, let's just say that when Garvorg comes back, he brings some little friends with him... :-D But that's enough of that; I'll spoil the story otherwise! He he he... same here, with the wild animal thing! I love them, lol! -blushes- You're too kind! ;-) Thanks so much for the compliments!

shadowfox8; Ooh, I'm really excited actually, I can't wait to read your story! Lol! I honestly don't mind how you use him, but feel free to show me what you've done if that's what you want to do:-) He can take the foresight from his mother if that's what you want, like I said, I don't mind! Aaaw, that's so sweet of you, thank you!

Faerlain; Lol, sorry! But don't worry, there'll be a nice new story after the next one that'll be winging it's way to ff.n as soon as I'm back off my holiday! OF COURSE there'll be more in the series! I've still got over 30 more stories planned for it you know... ;-) So you've got nothing to worry about there!

leggylover03; ;-) Thanks!

Fawkes2005; Thanks, and don't worry, I will:-)

And so we go onto the last chapter, which is very short, but I think rounds everything up nicely. Please enjoy...

.: Chapter Eight :.

A letter arrived from Mirkwood in the evening three weeks later for Estel. The teenager had run up to his room and quickly opened it with his small craft knife.

'Dear Estel,' it began.

'Hal and I got home a week after leaving your home. Seeing as I wrote this letter a week after we got back, and seeing as it would take a week for messenger to get there, I'm assuming you're reading this three weeks after we left.'

Typical Legolas. He always blathered on about practically nothing in his letters. Estel just smiled... it was something he'd become used to over the eight years he'd known the Elf.

'I just thought I'd let you know that Louvel is doing fine here; he's fitting right in! After a bit of a shaky start of course; Ada wasn't too happy about me bringing a wolf home, and less so when Louvel raided the pantry. I've got cleaning duty for the next month and a half because of it. I'm looking on the bright side though; Ada seems to have warmed to him now that he's bringing his slippers to him. I always knew Ada was lazy like that...

Hal keeps getting into trouble with his tutor; apparently, contrary to what Hal believes, scribbling Tebridë's name across his workbooks isn't part of his work in Geographical Studies. I could've told him that. I'm beginning to wonder what's going on between those two; did you notice them sneaking off together the night before we left? Giggling and everything they were... I don't know about you Estel, but they seem exceptionally suspicious to me.

By the way, Ama says that you're welcome to come and stay whenever you like; she can't believe you're sixteen already. Well that's a complete understatement; she flat out REFUSES to believe it. I think that she still remembers you as that little twelve year old that came to stay that time. I've tried to convince her but she's being stubborn about it.'

Estel laughed. 'Well, now I know where you get it from Legolas...'

'I hope I'll see you again soon; the cook's been making some cherry nectar here and I've stolen a bottle to share with you next time I see you. It's really very nice, even if it's full of sugar. Be careful you don't drink too much of it though; I had a whole bottle to myself once and next morning I woke up not remembering what I'd done, although I DO know I'd lost my shoes, whatever it was.

Well, namárië for now! See you soon!

Legolas xxx'

Estel folded up the letter with a grin on his face and slipped it into his drawer where he kept all of the things his friend has sent him; letters, drawings, an assortment of buttons, a small but growing collection of colourful stones and some oddly shaped leaves, one of which looked like an Oliphaunt's head if you held it upside-down. Admittedly the things the Prince sent were more than a little odd, but they had sentimental value.

Estel picked up a shining clear blue stone from the bottom of the drawer and played with it. In the mirror like surface of the stone he saw his reflection and surprised himself. He'd not realised he'd grown up so much. It was like Sólia had told Legolas; in some senses, Estel still felt like that young twelve year old who'd been awestruck the first time he'd been to Mirkwood. The Wood Elves' home still had the affect on him, which had been the reason he'd originally asked Legolas to send him little things from there; so that he still had a little part of the great forest to remember that feeling by.

But he was growing up. It was time to accept it. Estel felt rather low; this meant that pretty soon he'd have to start being responsible... reliable... dependable... "A whole host of other words ending in 'ble'," as Elrohir had so eloquently put it. However, he tried to look on the bright side; growing up also meant being that bit closer to being independent, to drinking legally (even if he'd already tried alcohol on a secret trip to the cellar by himself a few months ago) and, and here's what brought a smile to his face, girls.

Elrond would be appalled if he knew what his teenage foster son was thinking about. Estel laughed to himself, and he remembered when Elladan had asked him why on Arda Legolas kept sending him these little trinkets at his request, but Estel had stayed silent. Only he knew the reason; that this strange little habit of his, of hording little things from Mirkwood in this little drawer; it made him happy. It brought back good memories, and often made him think about himself, and that simply made him... happy.

And in the grand scheme of things, that was all that mattered, wasn't it? Being happy? As long as you were, it wouldn't matter if you were injured, soaked to the bone, and covered in mud thanks to a freak flash flood. It wouldn't matter if you were slowly coming out of a content and secure childhood into the awful adult world. And it wouldn't matter if you weren't able to be with someone who was your friend because they were several miles away. Just as long as you were happy.

Thinking this, Estel rested his head on his pillow, yawning. Being in this room, in this house, in this city, with his family and with things to remember his friends by... that was what made him happy...

It was a few hours later when Elrond opened the door to check on his adopted son and found him lying on the bed, a smile on his face and a bright blue stone in his hand. The Elf Lord approached the sleeping boy and pulled the blankets over him, tucking him in gently.

"Goodnight Estel," he said softly. He turned, blowing out the candle on the bedside table as he did, which sent the room into a bluish twilight. Elrond crossed the room and exited from the door, closing it quietly behind him.

Estel opened one eye sleepily and looked over at the door. Even though Elrond had been as gentle as possible, the slight weight of the blanket on him had woken him slightly.

"Goodnight Ada..."

THE END

:-) I quite enjoyed writing that... please tell me what you think!

And here's the preview of the next story! The next one is just a 1 chapter fic, but it's vital to the series. It's also quite sad, so there's a tissue warning for you sentimental readers out there, lol! However, to lessen the wait for you all whilst I'm on holiday, I'll be uploading it to the site straight after I've uploaded this chapter, so look out for it:-) Here's the preview...

Is This Goodbye?

It was a few minutes later as Estel stormed out of the main corridors and down the flight of steps leading towards the stables when he heard a voice calling him.

"Estel!"

The young man shut his eyes and sighed, exasperated. He had hoped to leave without anyone noticing. That way, he wouldn't cause them trouble when he went. Of course he had forgotten about Legolas. The twins had left him in peace, knowing he wanted his own space, and Lord Elrond had stayed inside the room where he had broken the news to his foster son.

He should have remembered that he had blurted everything out to his friend in the gardens, but he was upset and had merely forgotten.

The Elf caught up with him, chest heaving after running so hard. "Please Estel, just wait; I want to talk to you about this-"

"No Legolas," said Estel simply. "No... I have to leave."

He climbed up into the saddle, and Legolas suddenly caught a fleeting glimpse of the Ranger that Estel, or Aragorn as he was known from here onwards, would become.

That's all the preview you're getting, lol! It took me ages to decide on which bit to show you; there's lots of different parts which would've made great previews... this one reveals the least of the story though, so I thought this one would be best... don't forget to tell me what you think of it!

x Star-Stallion x

P.S: By the way, I thought it fair to tell everyone about this... concerning my fanfics. I've been thinking, and I believe I have too many WIPs at the one time. The ones that cause me the most trouble are the NON-Nilmé Series ones. So, I'm thinking about finishing up the 5 non-series fics I've got going and then just concentrate on the series. I enjoy writing it more, and the non-series ones are usually barely formed ideas I get then begin to write.

Sadly, this means that halfway through, I get chronic writer's block; the exceptions of these 5 being 'Return to Us the Sun' and 'The Troubles with Elven Harmonicas'. Those 2 are just so massive that I'm just trying to plough through the writing stage, even if I do enjoy doing it.

So, I'm just saying this because I want opinions; do you mind me only concentrating on the series or would you like to see more non-series fics in the future? There probably will be some, just not as frequently as there is now... opinions would be greatly valued! ;-)