A/N: Well, here we are, at the end! I hope you've enjoyed the story :-) I'll have a more lengthy A/N at the end…

See chapter one for disclaimer. Reviewer responses have been sent.

Epilogue

Thranduil paced across the large hall for what felt like the hundredth time that morning.

Legolas, Legolas, ion-nín, what have you gotten yourself into this time…

After all these years, it was a wonder he hadn't become a little bit more accustomed to this type of situation. But here he was, just as nerve-wracked as ever, ready to scream from frustration and worry. All morning, his thoughts had fluctuated erratically between exasperated anger, and sudden worry. But, in the end, the worry always seemed to obliterate the anger. He found himself shamelessly pleading with each of the Valar over and over for the safe return of his son.

Suddenly, from the courtyard, he heard the sound of horses' hooves striking the pavement. His heart leapt at the sound of familiar human footsteps. Aragorn and…his son? He turned just in time to see six sorry-looking figures enter the hall. Six very sorry-looking figures.

His eyes traveled over each one in turn. His son, Aragorn, Dinerion, and Elrohir all had…odd circles of healing cuts and deep bruises around their necks. Legolas also had bandages around his arms, and his chest. Aragorn was moving very stiffly, though he was making a valiant attempt to hide his body's renewed pain, after the long horseback ride. Elladan was limping, leaning slightly on his twin. The only one who appeared to have escaped without any apparent injury was Dolenil, but they all looked very grave and uncharacteristically somber, even Dinerion.

His emotions battled for only a moment between thoughts of scolding and then locking his son in his room for a few hundred years, or simply embracing him. He took one hesitant step forward, and then rushed to Legolas' side. "Ion-nín, you're safe…You're home, finally." He embraced his son awkwardly, doing his best not to aggravate his wounds.

Legolas smiled tiredly. "Yes, Ada, I'm home."

Thranduil shook his head and stepped back to examine them more closely. "Elbereth…what am I going to do with you?" He didn't spare the young lords of Rivendell either, eyeing them sharply. "What would Elrond say if he could see you now?"

"'I'm proud of you, you managed to get away in such good condition'?" Elladan replied hopefully.

Thranduil narrowed his eyes in a withering glare, and all their smiles faltered. He shook his head again. "I want all of you to report to the healers immediately. Do you understand? All of you. There will be time enough for you to tell me the full tale later. I want to hear everything about what happened."

They nodded gloomily, and turned to obey.

"He's even worse than Ada…" Estel whispered to Legolas, with a rueful grin.

"I heard that, young one," Thranduil stated blandly, turning his back so they couldn't see the smile of relief that spread over his face.

Aragorn winced, but waited until they had completely exited the room before whispering. "Valar, we are in so much trouble."

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Aragorn settled further into his chair, sagging against the heap of pillows behind his back. Absentmindedly, he flipped a page in the book that rested on his lap, pretending to be interested in it. The warmth of the fire was making him sleepier than he cared to admit, and even as his mind tried to think about the narrow escape they'd had, he could feel his eyes drifting shut.

He shook himself as he felt the presence of someone else in the room. Looking up, he was surprised to find Dolenil standing in the doorway. There was determination in the elf's eyes, as well as a great deal of caution. He looked as if he'd just been condemned to death.

Aragorn frowned, greeting him uncertainly. "Dolenil." He nodded slightly.

"Lord Estel." Dolenil nodded stiffly in return.

Dolenil's jaw was clenched so tightly, for a minute Aragorn felt a wave of apprehension flood him. What had he done now? He couldn't remember having done anything to further their hostilities. As a matter of fact, he really hadn't been doing much of anything lately… He shrugged inwardly. Maybe that was the problem?

Dolenil's eyes darted indecisively to his face, and then down at his feet. He didn't look exactly what he'd describe as angry… Aragorn tried to smile, even though Dolenil's presence always managed to make him feel nervous. "Is there something I can do for you?" He flinched at how abrupt his voice sounded.

However, Dolenil seemed to find the formality in his tone slightly reassuring. "Well, no, my Lord… It's only… I merely…"

Aragorn had to work hard to stifle what would, this time, have been a genuine smile. He'd never heard Dolenil leave so many sentences hanging. "Yes?" he said encouragingly.

Dolenil opened his mouth, then shut it again. Then, doggedly, he reopened it and said, "My Lord, I'm here to ask you for your forgiveness." He paused, as if he expected Aragorn to refuse right then and there, but Aragorn didn't say a word. In a self-condemning voice, he continued strongly, "It was wrong of me to judge you so harshly before I had even had a chance to properly observe you."

This time, Aragorn couldn't help but smile a little. "And now, you have…observed me?"

Dolenil's face colored at this. "My Lord, forgive me, that's not what I meant, I…"

"That's alright Dolenil, I think I understand you well enough."

Dolenil nodded gratefully. "Thank you, my Lord… I am much indebted to you for saving the Prince's life. I shall never forget it." The elf turned suddenly, as Legolas himself appeared in the door. At the way Legolas was watching his curiously, Dolenil's face turned red once again. In an attempt to hide his embarrassment, he bowed, mumbling, "You will excuse me, my Lords." and slipped out of the room.

Legolas sat down next to Aragorn, shaking his head in bewildered amusement at Dolenil's reaction. "What was that all about?"

Aragorn chuckled. "I'm not quite certain myself. But it would seem that Dolenil has decided to…give me a second chance, so to speak. He seems to have changed his opinion of me quite dramatically."

Legolas raised an incredulous eyebrow. "Really?"

"You didn't order him to do that, did you, mellon-nín?" Aragorn asked suspiciously.

Legolas laughed outright. "No! Of course not! I knew he'd figure it out sooner or later… You know, you're really not that bad—at least, not as far as most humans go. You're actually quite nice."

"Oh, is that a fact? How kind of you to say so. I'm very relived to hear you think I'm…nice."

"Make that very nice."

"Very generous of you."

Legolas laughed. "Well, I think since you've earned Dolenil's respect, I should at least grant you that much." He winked. "And, after all these years, I have grown quite…fond of you."

"Thank you, your Highness. It's been a pleasure to tag along with you on all your escapades. The fondness is mutual. Every once in a while, you even show a rather decent streak."

"Thank you. But I do believe they have all been your 'escapades', my friend. They were no doing of mine."

Aragorn sighed. "Whoever's fault, we've certain shared some in some very interesting adventures…"

Legolas nodded wistfully. "We have indeed. Especially this last one."

"It's too bad we failed."

Legolas turned a quizzical eye on him. "Failed?"

"Well, we did managed to lose all the true criminals behind the plot. Kadrin, Dagron, Acharndil…"

"But we got away with our own lives, Estel. Considering the way each and every one of our 'little' adventures seems to be a little worse each time, I'd say we did all right salvaging that much from the ordeal."

"Now look who's being optimistic."

"One of us has to be." After a moment's pause, Legolas asked cheerfully, "So, mellon-nín, how shall we spend the rest of your time here? I must admit, after this last bit of excitement, anything else will seem rather dull."

A sly look entered Aragorn's eyes. "There's still spider-hunting to be considered."

"Hmm, yes… Of course," Legolas added thoughtfully, as an afterthought. "with Ada's wrath and judgment pending, we probably shouldn't make too many plans outside the palace."

Aragorn looked at his friend out of the corner of his eye. "Lord Thranduil wouldn't really ground us…would he?"

Legolas gave him a knowing look. "Oh, he would, my friend, he would. The question is, will he?"

Aragorn stared thoughtfully into the fire. "This could be a long winter."

"Indeed it could."

The End

Well, it would feel a lot more satisfactory finishing posting this story, if it weren't for the fact that I just noticed that this site re-arranged my chapter order… -pouts- I would re-arrange it again, but I don't want to risk deleting all my lovely reviews! I don't know if there is a way, but if anyone knows of some magical way I could put chapter 14 were it belongs (which is NOT at the beginning :-P), please send me an e-mail. I will be forever indebted it you! –g-

Anyways, enough of that. I've said it dozens of times, but I just have to say it again: THANK YOU! Thank you to all of you who reviewed, and to all of you lurkers, who still brought my hits up! –g- You've all been a tremendous source of encouragement to me :-) And I also want to give a HUGE thanks to my wonderful editor/sister Imbecamiel! –hugs-

Ok, I'm just about to shut up. But lastly, for anyone interested in future stories from me—I will be writing! I've actually got several short stories all but finished already, and will be posting them in the near future. I'm also in the process of working on a MUCH longer story, which I plan on finishing…sometime. Hopefully, within my life-time. –g- As for another sequel to this… Although I don't have anything concrete in the works yet, I have plenty of ideas, so that's certainly a possibility as well.

Hehe, now I've made my A/N longer than the epilogue, I'll be going now… -hugs- Until next time!

- Nef