Ch. 24: Alternate Ending 2
See Ch. 22: Alternate Ending 1 for the alternate version of Ch. 21
Returning to the city, they were met by Faramir, brother of Boromir, and son of Denethor, steward of Gondor, who had killed himself during the siege. The last steward of Gondor surrendered the city to its rightful king. Faramir brought forth the crown of the city, but Aragorn would not take it from his hand, but rather had Frodo bring it, and Gandalf set it upon his head. With that, the Lord Elessar, heir of Elendil, entered the city and the third age of Middle Earth was brought to an end. A new age had begun.
Arwen Evenstar arrived with her bothers, Galadriel, Celeborn, and her father, and she and Aragorn were married Midsummer's day. Éomer would still not admit the Lady the fairest of all beings, but claimed rather that the honor belonged to the Queen Arwen Evenstar, and so he and Gimli made their peace. The hobbits returned to the Shire to scour it of the men and rules forced upon them by Sharkey. The Wild Men of the Woods were given the Forest of Druadan as their possession forever, never to be troubled by outsiders.
Worf went with Elrond to Rivendell, and when the time came, he passed over the sea with the Elves and the Ringbearers. He rested in Valinor for a time, and welcomed Legolas, Gimli, and Sam when they came, but he grew restless. He petitioned Manwë and Varda, and they granted his request. It was late when he returned from their chambers, and he closed his eyes and slept.
Worf woke slowly, bright lights shining in his face. They were harsh and unnatural, nothing like the gentle sunlight of Middle Earth. Julian Bashir rushed over. "Worf, how are you feeling? We nearly lost you! I'm amazed you managed to survive that transporter accident with so few injuries!"
It took Worf a moment to realize where he was--DS9's infirmary. He was back. Worf stayed on DS9 for several weeks, recuperating from injuries. Bashir was amazed when he saw battle scars that hadn't been there previously, but Worf wouldn't allow him to remove them. The response: "Typical Klingon." Typical Klingon. Worf would never again be a typical anything. Before he left, Worf gave Bashir several holo-programs, with titles like Moria, Amon Hen, Helm's Deep, and Pellenor Fields. He never told anyone there what he'd experienced. They would never have believed him, anyway. Worf left for Qu'onos, avoiding the transporter, and resumed his work, trying to restore the Empire. He had seen one kingdom restored to its honor and glory. Gondor had been restored by the courage of her king and those who had dared stand with him. Perhaps there was yet a remnant of honorable warriors in the Empire. And maybe by their strength and courage the Klingon Empire could be restored.
See Ch. 22: Alternate Ending 1 for the alternate version of Ch. 21
Returning to the city, they were met by Faramir, brother of Boromir, and son of Denethor, steward of Gondor, who had killed himself during the siege. The last steward of Gondor surrendered the city to its rightful king. Faramir brought forth the crown of the city, but Aragorn would not take it from his hand, but rather had Frodo bring it, and Gandalf set it upon his head. With that, the Lord Elessar, heir of Elendil, entered the city and the third age of Middle Earth was brought to an end. A new age had begun.
Arwen Evenstar arrived with her bothers, Galadriel, Celeborn, and her father, and she and Aragorn were married Midsummer's day. Éomer would still not admit the Lady the fairest of all beings, but claimed rather that the honor belonged to the Queen Arwen Evenstar, and so he and Gimli made their peace. The hobbits returned to the Shire to scour it of the men and rules forced upon them by Sharkey. The Wild Men of the Woods were given the Forest of Druadan as their possession forever, never to be troubled by outsiders.
Worf went with Elrond to Rivendell, and when the time came, he passed over the sea with the Elves and the Ringbearers. He rested in Valinor for a time, and welcomed Legolas, Gimli, and Sam when they came, but he grew restless. He petitioned Manwë and Varda, and they granted his request. It was late when he returned from their chambers, and he closed his eyes and slept.
Worf woke slowly, bright lights shining in his face. They were harsh and unnatural, nothing like the gentle sunlight of Middle Earth. Julian Bashir rushed over. "Worf, how are you feeling? We nearly lost you! I'm amazed you managed to survive that transporter accident with so few injuries!"
It took Worf a moment to realize where he was--DS9's infirmary. He was back. Worf stayed on DS9 for several weeks, recuperating from injuries. Bashir was amazed when he saw battle scars that hadn't been there previously, but Worf wouldn't allow him to remove them. The response: "Typical Klingon." Typical Klingon. Worf would never again be a typical anything. Before he left, Worf gave Bashir several holo-programs, with titles like Moria, Amon Hen, Helm's Deep, and Pellenor Fields. He never told anyone there what he'd experienced. They would never have believed him, anyway. Worf left for Qu'onos, avoiding the transporter, and resumed his work, trying to restore the Empire. He had seen one kingdom restored to its honor and glory. Gondor had been restored by the courage of her king and those who had dared stand with him. Perhaps there was yet a remnant of honorable warriors in the Empire. And maybe by their strength and courage the Klingon Empire could be restored.