Here we have come to the final chapter. I thank you all for reading and reviewing. This story is very close to my heart and I am glad you liked it.

I must thank Words of a feather once again for having helped me by being beta. Thanks a lot, I really appreciate it!

Chapter four

Maeve and Calan stood still in silence for a while in the same spot where they had seen Telegad off.

"Do you love him, Maeve?"

Maeve looked down and turned aside. Calan walked to stand before her and lifted her chin with his finger.

"Why did you let him go?" he asked in a soft, fatherly tone.

"You know why. He is immortal, and I am human," she replied defensively, tears clouding her eyes in a mix of anger and desperate pain.

"But you love him, and he loves you. Do you think he cares about your mortality?"

"He does not, but he will only get hurt when I die. He must find someone of his own kind."

"Elves normally love only once."

Maeve looked at her uncle with surprise.

"I did not know that," she breathed.

"Aye, elves normally know that the one they love is the only one for them. If he is willing to love you, putting aside your differences, do you not think it is proof that you two are meant to be?"

"Do you honestly believe this?"

"I do, and I believe that he will only be hurt if you two are separated. Elves do not feel like humans. They feel the greatest of happiness, as well as the deepest of sorrows. I believe that the only way he will not be hurt is by being with you, and I know you will suffer needlessly as well if you do not go after him."

"You mean all of this then? You would be alright with me marrying an elf?" she asked with surprise.

"I am. Now go after him before he gets too far away!"

Calan ran in direction of the village, leaving Maeve rooted on the same spot with pondering thoughts, and returned with a mount. He lifted Maeve onto the horse and made haste to follow Telegad.

Telegad rode forth slowly, his heart heavy with pain and sorrow. He was planning on making it back to his parents before heading off into the woods for one last time. He was musing on these thoughts when he heard the sound of hooves galloping at high speed behind him. He quickly turned to see who was following him. He thought his heart had stopped when he saw Calan with Maeve behind.

"Telegad!" Maeve called.

"Maeve!" he replied, turning his horse and speeding towards her. When they were at a reasonable distance, both riders stopped and Telegad was the first to dismount and run to Maeve. Maeve was helped off the horse by her uncle and her feet had hardly touched the ground when Telegad caught her in his arms and pressed her against him, and it seemed that he would never let her go with the desperate hold he had on her. For a while he held her, unwilling to let her go. It was Maeve who first tried to pull away. Telegad laughed and loosened his hold on her but did not let go entirely. He only gave her enough space to move her head to look at him.

"I trust that you will take care of her, Telegad," said Calen with deep happiness in his voice. "She is now yours."

Telegad looked at Calen with deep gratitude.

"I thank you from the bottom of my heart."

Calen nodded.

"I expect to see you here in six months young missy," he said teasingly and with a fatherly smile.

"Will it not be me who stays with her then?" asked Telegad.

"No, she goes with you. Her children will be half elves after all, and they will need to be among other elves. But I expect you to bring them here often," he added with a mischievous smile.

"You have my word. Thank you, Calan."

"It is my pleasure, Telegad. Farewell Maeve, farewell Telegad. I wish you the best."

"Thank you uncle. I owe you much."

Calan smiled and nodded before urging his horse forward.

Telegad looked down at Maeve with a loving smile. They stared into each other's eyes for a time.

"I love you," he whispered.

"I love you too," she replied.

Telegad leaned and caught her lips in a fervent kiss. There would be time later to kiss her gently, but now he could only show her his deep passion for her in this fiery kiss. Maeve's hands tangled in Telegad's hair and she desperately tried to reach higher. Telegad pushed her back against a tree so he could hold her up with his body. The two seemed to be battling each other, holding, pulling, biting and clutching at each other almost violently. There was so much passion, so much desire that had been held back for so long that it was all being shot out through this first kiss. After a time they were having trouble breathing and their strength wore off. Telegad slipped down slowly, bringing Maeve with him. Without opening his eyes, he kissed her slowly and deeply. Maeve sighed into the kiss and responded with tenderness and sweetness.

"I love you," she whispered to him.

Telegad opened his eyes and stared into hers with deep love.

"I love you too. I love you more than my life. I love you more than there are leaves in the trees. I love you more than there are starts in the sky. I love you more than the long years of the past and future ages. I love you and I only wish to love you."

Maeve's eyes filled with tears. She placed a tender kiss on his lips before throwing her arms around him and burying her head in his neck.

Telegad and Maeve rode back to Mirkwood, taking their time so they could enjoy some time alone. They stayed under the canopy of the trees for several days just walking and singing. Their songs were carried by the wind and the trees through the forest and were seeded within the hearts of the spirits of the forest, staying forever in them so that when travelers passed in future ages they could hear the singing voices of the elf and human lovers. When Telegad and Maeve arrived at Mirkwood, they were received by Telegad's parents who were waiting for him in front of his house. The tender smiles in their faces told Telegad that they had felt through their connection that Telegad was indeed happy, which meant he was with Maeve. Telegad brought Maeve before King Thranduil and presented her as his betrothed. The elven King only smiled and gave them his blessing. A month later the couple were married under the light of a full moon.

Years passed. Maeve and Telegad were love incarnated. Every gesture, every word, every aspect of their lives reflected the deepness of their love and affection. Maeve did everything possible for living a healthy life so to make sure to extend her years as far as she possibly could, though she never told Telegad of this. It was not two years after they had married that Telegad and Maeve held in their arms their first child whom they named Faenmall, which in the elder tongue means radiant gold, for his hair was one of the most radiant golden colors elves had seen. Two years after they had another son whom they named Sûlfaer, which means wind spirit, for they could tell he would be as free as the wind, gentle as a breeze, but devastating as a storm when there was need of it. Finally they had a daughter whom they named Gilgelaid which means starlight and this was for being born under a starlit night. All three children had golden hair, though none as bright as Faenmall, and only he had his mother's blue eyes, the other two had their father's green ones.

Years went by and Maeve began to age, yet living under the influence and magic of elves, as well as having a better diet and a healthy lifestyle, Maeve was able to preserve her youthful self for a very long time. Age touched her skin very late and her body was strong and healthy for many long years. When she was deep in her eighties her body started to fail slightly. She was no longer able to take long walks or move as she used to. Yet her spirit stayed young and merry. It was not until she had reached a hundred that she needed to stay in bed for most of the time. For two more years she lived happily under Telegad and her children's care.

"Love of mine, I brought you your favorite; salmon made golden in butter," Telegad chirped as he presented the plate to his beloved wife.

"How thoughtful of you, dear. Could you help me sit up more? I am afraid this position is not enough for me to swallow properly."

"Of course, my sweet."

Telegad carefully helped Maeve sit up higher and placed a hand behind her back so she could feel more comfortable. He then fed her slowly, talking to her as she took her time with her food.

"The meal was lovely. Thank you, Telegad."

"It is my pleasure," he replied with a loving smile.

"My dear, could you take me down to the stream? It has been a very long time since I go down there."

"Of course. Let me get you a cape since it is a bit chilly out today."

Telegad tied the cape around Maeve before lifting her into his arms and taking her outside. The day was bright and a cool breeze refreshed Maeve's old skin. They arrived at the stream and Telegad set her on the ground, sitting behind her to support her. Maeve rested her head against his shoulder and sighed with happiness.

"I remember when we used to come out here often. We would draw pictures of each other and of the scenery. Then we would sing until the night fell. What lovely days those were."

"They are lovely days now as well," he replied to her ear.

The couple spent the evening in pleasant silence. When night began to fall, Telegad brought Maeve back to the house. Telegad could feel something in his heart and something was telling him that Maeve's time had come, but he said nothing, waiting for her to speak first. Finally when Maeve was sitting on her bed, looking at the starlit night, she sighed and looked at Telegad, a heavy look in her eyes.

"You know it is tonight, Telegad. You can feel it, and I can feel it through you. It is time."

Telegad felt a cold shiver run down his spine but he said nothing and nodded, walking to where she was and covering her in a deep embrace. For a while they stayed that way until Telegad spoke softly.

"You cannot leave," he said pleadingly, his voice barely a whisper.

"I wish I did not have to, but I must. My time has come, I am old and my body will keep my soul no more. Call the children, Telegad. I wish to say goodbye."

Telegad's hold around her tightened for a moment, a stream of tears fell from his eyes. But after a while he released her and wiped away his tears. He left the room and returned shortly with their children. By the looks on their faces Maeve knew he had already told them. The three children silently walked to where she was and each took their time to embrace their mother and speak to her through their bond. An hour passed before all three children had spoken with their mother and said their last goodbye. Then they moved to kneel on the sides of the bed to let their father have his last moment with his beloved.

Telegad sat beside Maeve and took her hand in his and pressed it against his heavily pounding heart. For a moment he kept his eyes closed. As he opened them there were tears in them.

"What will I do without you?" he whispered.

"You must live on and be happy. Live for our children, they are your happiness now."

"I will miss you terribly."

"I will miss you too. But we will see each other again at the end of all times. I must go now, but I will be back. We will come together when the world falls and a new world is born. Then we will be together forever. Have hope and wait for me."

"I will wait for you. There is nothing that can come between us. I will wait until the mountains fall and the earth breaks. Then when all is dark, follow my voice and it will lead you to me."

Maeve stared into her beloved's eyes and he into hers. For a moment the room was filled with a white light. Telegad held Maeve's hand harder. Suddenly the old Maeve who was full of wrinkles and white hair turned into the young and beautiful Maeve Telegad had met that faithful day in the river. She smiled at him and he bent down to kiss her lips one last time. When he pulled away, Maeve closed her eyes and the light disappeared, revealing Maeve as she was in her present age.

"We will meet again, my love, in dreams."

When the cold of winter comes
Starless night will cover day
In the veiling of the sun
We will walk in bitter rain

But in dreams
I can hear your name
And in dreams
We will meet again

When the seas and mountains fall
And we come, to end of days
In the dark I hear a call
Calling me there,
I will go there
And back again

Epilogue

Maeve walked down a white shore, the crystalline waves crashed against it. Her long, brown hair was loose and it swayed in the wind. She was happier than usual this day. A few days ago she had felt the Earth shudder the sky had been tainted red. Many voices cried in voices full of anger and rage, but it was soon replaced by a huge cry of utter joy and victory. The entire Earth shook then, and after that there was an overwhelming feeling of piece, as if all that is evil had forever vanished from the World. As Maeve walked, she heard a voice calling her name. She looked ahead and followed the voice. It seemed to come out of thin air, but she could recognize that voice clearly. It had been millenniums, ages even! since she had last heard that voice. She followed it, not knowing exactly where to run to. Finally she came around a great reef and she came face to face with a great source of golden light. She came closer and as she did, she recognized the shape of her husband. He smiled the most loving and dazzling smile ever as he extended a hand for her to take. Maeve smiled back and took his hand.

"You waited," she said, not really surprised, but as if telling him she knew from the start he would.

"Of course I did," he said with the most beautiful, musical voice she had ever heard. "They are waiting," he said with a smile.

Maeve smiled and allowed him to pull her through the portal of light, and together they went forth to an eternity if love and happiness along with their children and their loved one.

This is the end of this story. I had thought of leaving the song "In dreams" as the end song, but since I did a short epilogue, I thought I could put this one as well. "In Dreams" was Telegad's pov so to speak, it was the song in is heart. "Use well the days" is Maeve's song, what she felt when she was passing away. Thank you all who read and reviewed, as well as to those who favorite and/or followed. Now for the end song.

Use well the days

Round the corner there may wait
A new road or a secret gate
And though I have passed them by
A day will come
I will take the hidden paths that run
West of the Moon and East of the Sun
I'm glad that you are here with me, here at the end of all things.

Night too shall be beautiful and blessed and its fear will pass
I must leave, must cross the Sea
The love you gave is all I take with me
Use well the days
Use well the days
Turn your face to the green world
Use well the days

Seven stars and seven Stones and one White Tree from all the sound it seems
Use well the days
Use well the days
Turn your face to the green world
Use well the days