Epilogue

By Orchyd Constyne


Upon the very Eve of Midsummer, when the sky was blue as sapphire
and white stars opened in the East, but the West was still golden, and
the air was cool and fragrant, the riders came down the North-way to
the gates of Minas Tirith.  First rode Elrohir and Elladan with a banner
of silver, and then came Glorfindel and Erestor and all the household
of Rivendell, and after them came the Lady Galadriel and Celeborn,
Lord of Lothlorien, riding upon white steeds and with them many fair
folk of their land, grey-cloaked with white gems in their hair; and
last came Master Elrond, mighty among Elves and Men, bearing the
scepter of Annuminas, and beside him upon a grey palfrey rode Arwen
his daughter, Evenstar of her people."
           -- Return of the King, The Steward and the King, pg. 951

Gildor swung the Imladris Councilor around, his heart lightened at seeing the distant, lost Noldo smile once again.  The day had been cool, perfect and beautiful for Elessar and Arwen.  Now that the night had fallen and the fireworks from Gandalf were showering the sky with brilliant color, Erestor seemed to let go of his melancholy, which had consumed him since Lorien when Glorfindel took horse in the procession that would journey to Minas Tirith.  Even if that sadness left the fair Councilor only for one night.

Six months had passed since Lord Glorfindel had fled the valley, leaving behind a broken Elf.  Elrond and Gildor, who had known the Councilor the longest, had spent much time with him, distracting him from his pain.  It was more difficult for Elrond, though, since he had his falling out with the Mirkwood King.  It was common knowledge around the House that the four great Lords of Imladris had lost their lovers during the War of the Ring.  One more thing Sauron had taken.

Gildor reflected on the moody, short tempered twins.  They sat at a table with Lindir and Haldir, brooding and glowering at the dance floor.  Gildor turned his attention to where their stares went and caught Legolas dancing with Melpomaen, smiling softly at the Advisor who was flushed with heat and wine.

"Legolas is making a terrible mistake," Erestor said, looking sadly over at the twins.  "I wonder if he feels any better now that the
Quest is over and the War won."

Gildor dipped Erestor, causing him to let out a peel of laughter.  As his eyes focused on the far wall, though, all mirth fled from his heart.

The warrior felt the form in his arms stiffen and followed Erestor's gaze.  Glorfindel stood on the edge of the crowd, dress in indigo and silver formal robes.  He had his hands resting behind his back, his eyes narrowed while taking in the scene before him, his lover with his friend.  He was flanked by two Galadhrim, Rumil and Orophin, chosen for this duty by Haldir himself.

He met the eyes of his former lover, feeling anger rise in him. Erestor watched Glorfindel lean over and whisper in Rumil's ear, the striking blue gaze never leaving his.  Gildor swept them around once and out of the way of Elessar and Arwen who were laughing happily and when Erestor sought out Glorfindel again, the Elda was gone.

Hurt swam in the bottomless eyes as they looked up into the compassionate hazel ones.  Erestor choked out, "He is truly gone from me."  Gildor embraced him tightly and walked the two of them out of the great hall and towards Erestor's rooms.

*****

Only four remained at the head table, all the others of the wedding party and family going off to dance or converse with friends.  Elrond smiled at Gandalf, the old Wizard laughing merrily at the sights before him while he sat beside the Lady of the Wood.  He then took in the composed and serene Galadriel to his left, her white gown glowing softly in the warm lights.  Celeborn sat on his right, slowly sipping the wine and watching as Glorfindel and the two brothers of Haldir exited the room.

Elrond's eyes flew to his Councilor, who was being lead away from the festivities by their long-time friend Gildor.  Gildor would take good care of Erestor, at least, until Glorfindel could come back to him. It was odd, though, that his Seneschal was even at the reception.  He turned his attentions to Celeborn.

"Has Glorfindel improve so that he is able to attend this celebration? With his behavior less than a year ago to go on, I would have thought it safest to stay in Lorien."

Celeborn put his goblet down and smiled gently at his son-in-law.  "He has improved... some.  Not much, but enough so he can warn Rumil or Orophin of an on coming episode."

"He is still a danger?"

"Very much so.  To us and to himself.  Do not fret, Elrond, I did not let him loose in this room.  Both of Haldir's brothers guard him and he is bound with mithril chains.  He could not physically harm anyone. But, it seems seeing his love in the arms of another -- whether platonic or not -- has sent him into another fit.  He will be restrained in his guest chamber."

Elrond shuddered at the word 'restrained,' knowing it was not simply being bound by hands to a bed.  "Will he ever recover?"

Celeborn shrugged his shoulders.  "I will not give up on him, and he does not wish to give up on himself.  But, it will take time.  Is Erestor still planning on crossing with you?"

The Imladris Lord nodded, sipping his water.  "I have tried to reason with him, explain that Glorfindel needs time and that he could stay in Imladris and aid my sons.  He refuses.  He is deeply wounded and Valinor may offer him some peace.  I cannot deny him that.  He has suffered much in his long life, I do not wish to prolong his unhappiness."

"What of you, my Lord?" asked Galadriel.  "Your sons are remaining, as is Thranduil.  You do not have to journey with us and the other Ringbearers yet.  You could remain and come with your kin when they are ready to come to Valinor."

Elrond shook his head.  "No.  I am weary.  I must go.  My time is over.  My naneth waits in Valinor.  I long to see my family, the ones who have long traveled over the Sea.  It is the Age of Man.  I no longer have a place in this world we have helped to create.  Our time has passed."

Silence descended upon the table as the ancients contemplated their paths.  "Will you tally long, Lord?" Elrond asked Celeborn.

"Thranduil and I will rule Eryn Lasgalen together until such a time as he, or I, choose to set sail.  We may never leave these lands, but I do not think our fate is to fade in this world as we are slowly forgotten by it."

"Thranduil," Elrond said softly.

Gandalf's eyes softened and he finally joined the discussion.  "Have you sent word to him yet?  About you leaving?"

"I have sent messengers, but all Imladris Elves are turned away.  He has locked his kingdom off from me, prohibiting me from reaching him. He is angry with me, furious.  I can feel it."  He sighed, feeling old and alone.

"Have you Farspoken with him at all?"  Galadriel nibbled at a slice of pear, concern shadowing her wise blue eyes.

Elrond shook his head.  "He has barred me from his mind.  I can only sense random emotion from him, his thoughts are kept tightly caged and away from me."

Celeborn shifted in his seat, angling so that he face Elrond, his wife, and the Wizard better.  "I thought he was in the wrong, Elrond."

"So did I," stated the Peredhel.

*****

The night had worn on and Elladan watched his father, his grandmother, his grandfather and the White Wizard take their leave of his sister and foster brother.  The crowd was thinning and the twins felt this was as good a time as any to leave the celebration.

They had watched their old lover dance with any willing partner, and few refused the shining Prince of Mirkwood.  The only two Elves in the palace Legolas had kept away from were the twin sons of Elrond.  This knowledge was like a spike to their heart, salt on the wounds Legolas had left them with many months ago.

The bond they shared was still strong, still let Elrohir know that Legolas suffered from their separation as much as they did.  He took Elladan's hand and lead him up the stairwells, through hallways, up to where Legolas stood.  The blond Prince was a vision against the dark night sky, his hair gently shifting in the light breeze and his formal robes cast off for a simple silver tunic and leggings.  He turned his heated blue gaze from the Pelennor Fields to the twins.

"I came back," he said simply.

Elrohir rushed forward, taking the Elf's face in his hands and kissing him deeply, thrusting his tongue into the waiting warmth of Legolas' mouth.  The Sinda returned the kiss, but not with the same passion and Elrohir pulled back, confusion marring his beautiful features.  "What is it, maethorem valthen?  Why do you not look at us as you do?"

It was Elladan who answered.  "Because, Caulen, he has come back, but not back to us."  Elrohir looked between his brother and their lover, sensing only a cool detachment from the Wood Elf.

"I plan on remaining in Gondor to assist Elessar for a few years. King Eomer and Elessar have offered me lands in Ithilien, woods near Emyn Arnen, where I would rule as Prince of the Elves who remain in Gondor after the wedding party depart."  His eyes were hooded, his tone dead, and Elladan felt anxiety creeping back into his heart.

"Emyn Arnen?  Legolas, that is over a month's ride from Imladris." Elrohir chewed his lip, feeling weak in his need for the Elf.

"Yes, it is.  But, this is my path.  I will remain in Middle-Earth until Elessar passes from the living.  Only then will I consider
sailing for Valinor."

"Why do you have such loyalty to our brother?"  Elladan crossed his arms, meeting Legolas' eyes with his.

"I have a deep respect for him and he has become a most trusted friend.  I would do him dishonor to simply abandon him when he is new to leadership."

Elrohir stepped back, away from the strange Elf who looked like the one he had loved for hundreds of years.  "Is there nothing we can say to change your mind?  To have journey back with us to Rivendell?"

Legolas shook his head.  "No."

"We are leaving in the morning, we must get back.  Erestor and Ada are sailing for Valinor soon.  We have not made our choice, we have not decided on the fate of Man or to be counted among the Firstborn." Elladan let his words hang heavy in the air, hoping that Legolas would be moved to say something comforting, something to give them hope.

But, he didn't.  He turned back to the dark Fields beyond the Citadel, lost in his thoughts.  The twins turned, walking back through the doorway, leading away from their bonded.  Elrohir stopped for a moment, turning to speak once more.

"Would it change anything, Legolas, if we told you we loved you?"  His voice sounded small in the night, almost pleading.
 
"No, Elrohir, I don't think it would."  He turned to his old lovers, a smile finally gracing his lips.  "But, there is hope for us.  Always hope.  I did come back, Elladan.  I always planned on coming back."


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