Epilogue

***

Corwyn gripped Legolas’s hand tightly as the two walked up the stone steps. A gust of wind blew past, carrying a deep chill. Corwyn shivered. Legolas squeezed her hand supportively, but she noticed that his own eyes were filled with a deep sadness that seemed to grow as they made their way up the staircase. She understood his feelings, her own heart weighed heavily at this moment.

For it was March the first and today King Elessar was to be buried.

The wind changed course, rippling the old silver veil Corwyn was wearing. She put a hand to it, fingering the sheer fabric. She realized that she had not worn it for years… not since the death of Haldir. An old twinge of sorrow echoed in her heart for a moment, but passed away as she and Legolas made their way to the top of the structure.

Lines of people, royals and peasants, made their way past the body that was laid out for viewing. Corwyn’s heart began to beat wildly as she came closer to the tomb. For her eyes did not see the body of Aragorn lying there, they saw Haldir. She blinked, but the image did not revert. Her eyes darted to Legolas, who was merely staring at the body sadly, his lips whispering soft prayers for his friend. He did not see what Corwyn did.

Corwyn shook her head, the veil shifting softly. What’s wrong with me? She thought, staring at the lifeless body before her, which was still that of Haldir’s. Why can I not forget? I have been happy for all these long years, why does it haunt me now?

Suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned. A beautiful feminine figure stood before her, dressed in a long black dress and veil. Loose raven colored strands of hair whipped about the figure as the wind blew. Corwyn hugged the woman.

“Arwen, are you all right, my friend?” she whispered as the Elven woman returned the embrace.

“I have been better, I’m afraid,” Arwen said, lifting her veil. Corwyn’s heart gave a leap of sympathy at the fair elf’s tearstained face. Even her crystalline eyes were puffy and irritated. “Father said this day would come, Corwyn Anelith. And I knew it would as well. But somehow that does not comfort me.”

Corwyn guided Arwen from the crowd so that they might talk in peace. “Death is bitter, Arwen, that is something I know of too well. But you must also understand that life is still important. You have a son and many daughters, and they still need a mother.”

Arwen smiled sadly and stared ahead, off into the city of Gondor. “My children have their own lives now. And I have just lost my only life. But I do not regret it, not for a moment. I will never regret it, not even when I myself… die.” She paused, considering the foreign word. “My death will come soon, Corwyn.”

Not knowing how to reply, Corwyn stayed silent.

“Now that I have told you my thoughts, you must enlighten me with yours,” Arwen said quietly.

Corwyn looked back at the body and closed her eyes against the figure that lay there, dressed in golden armor and a crimson cape. She looked away, her veil shifting softly. Arwen understood immediately.

“Take off the veil you wear, Corwyn,” she said, putting a hand on the silver material. “Take it off your face and away from your heart. You yourself say that life is still important.”

Arwen’s words struck Corwyn neatly in the center of her heart. She put a hand to the veil and felt her throat restrict. Her hand began to shake a bit and her heart pounded, but she forced herself to lift the shroud from her face. As she did so she was amazed that she could feel her heart lightening. With one deft movement she swept it from her head and held it in front of her. Arwen smiled. Corwyn turned her head and looked at the body on the tomb. It was now Aragorn, lying in all his splendor, his crown stead upon his cold brow and his hair streaked with grey. Corwyn whispered a lament and then opened her hand that held the veil.

She stood beside Arwen on the edge of the stone, watching as the wind lifted the gauzy material, flipping it about and carrying it far, far away.

“Tell Father I love him,” Arwen whispered, giving Corwyn another hug.

Before Corwyn could ask what the queen meant, she had left, gliding over to stand beside her king for a final time. At that time, Legolas came over, tears hidden behind his eyes, and took Corwyn’s hand, leading her away. She followed, turning around only once to meet Arwen’s eyes one last time. Live, Arwen’s eyes said. Live, Haldir’s voice whispered from out of the wind.

Corwyn took Legolas’s hand and headed down the stairs.

***

“My lady?”

Corwyn looked up from her book, meeting the speaker, Gimli’s, eyes. The dwarf had been living in Ithilien with Legolas and Corwyn ever since it had become a haven for elves. Corwyn had come to enjoy his company, as had many of the other elves, though none would admit it. Gimli was a part of her life now, and she could easily read his emotions. Today he looked troubled.

“Yes, Gimli,” Corwyn replied, setting her copy of Herblore of the Shire, a gift from the author, Meriadoc Brandybuck, down.

The dwarf frowned a bit and stared out the window of the spacious room. “Legolas is building his ship.”

Corwyn nodded. “Yes. I’m afraid that with Aragorn departed the time of Men truly has come. Many of the elves of Ithilien will be traveling to the Havens soon enough, Legolas included. There is no more room for Elves in Middle-earth. Our three Elven rings, Nenya, Narya, and Vilya, and their bearers, Galadriel, Gandalf, and Lord Elrond, are gone now. And Lorien now lingers sadly, with few remaining people; there is no longer light and song in Caras Galadhon. And now only Legolas and yourself remain as members of the Fellowship. It is only natural for us now to sail.” She looked at Gimli. “This bothers you?”

“Well, I, it’s just that… he is my best friend, my lady. It is selfish, but I do not want him, nor you, to leave.”

“But you are certainly coming with us!?” Corwyn exclaimed. “If you have not noticed, Gimli, you are called Elf-friend by many. Why would you not come over the sea?”

“Would it not be strange for your Lords of the West to permit me to cross? Only Elven kind is allowed to grace the shores of the Undying Lands, as I’m sure you know.”

Corwyn knew how to answer this, for she and Legolas had discussed it at length. “I hear tell of a certain Elven queen, mighty even among the Eldar, who has never forgotten you or your kindness. This queen has obtained this grace for you, should you accept it.”

Gimli’s eyes widened. “Galadriel…” he whispered. “She… she remembers me?”

“Of course. It is not often that a dwarf would come to Lorien.”

“And she has acquired permission for me to sail across the sea?”

Corwyn nodded with a smile. “Should you want to sail, of course, for it is strange indeed that a Dwarf would be willing to leave Middle-earth for any length of friendship and love. But if you wish, the Eldar will receive you.”

Gimli tried to hide the bright tears that were welling in his eyes, and succeeded. He cleared his throat and gave Corwyn a nod, then turned and headed out the door.

“Where are you going, Gimli?”

The dwarf looked over his broad shoulder. “I must tell Legolas that I will be sailing with him.”

Corwyn grinned and picked her book back up.

***

The rhythmic pounding of ocean waves against the beach, combined with the steady drum of hooves, etched itself into Corwyn’s mind. She smiled, letting the wind whip her hair back. The Havens were nearing.

She glanced over at the horse cantering beside her. It was a fiery chestnut with a long jagged blaze down his face. He had been a recent acquirement of Legolas’s, who had purchased him from Prince Faramir’s herds. His name was Easy, due to his placid disposition. Which, Corwyn mused, was probably a good thing, for mounted upon this horse, sitting stiffly and sliding around helplessly, was Gimli.

Corwyn had to laugh at the dwarf’s stern and concentrated face. Legolas had gotten Easy specifically for Gimli, saying that if the dwarf was to travel to the Undying Lands with the Elves, then he must at least have a mount, and know how to ride it. Gimli had protested, saying dwarves and horses were not good matches, but Corwyn had heard him speaking kind words to the big red horse on more than one occasion.

She leaned forward and grinned at the rider on the other side of Gimli.

Legolas just smiled back from his place on his grey mare.

Ithilien was almost empty now, many of the Elves having left in the month following Aragorn’s death. It was a bit saddening to leave everything behind, but the rush of waves ahead pushed Corwyn’s mind away from sadness. She knew that sailing was what Legolas had wanted ever since first setting eyes upon the water. She also was aware that Gimli was incredibly pleased. He was nervous, yes, but she found it amazing that he had even decided to sail. It was a combination of his deep friendship with Legolas, and his desire to see the Lady Galadriel once more that fueled him. In any case, Corwyn was glad he was coming.

The three horses crested the top of a hill and for a moment before heading down, Corwyn could see the blue expanse of the ocean stretching onward. She smiled blissfully as Mela lengthened his stride and made his way towards the beach.

***

Gulls cried and wheeled overhead of the large ship. Its magnificent white sails billowed in the strong breeze.

Legolas shifted his weight, bringing his mare, Carowiel, to a halt. He could hear Gimli telling Easy that he had better slow down, and could almost imagine the horse rolling its eyes at the dwarf’s gruff request. But Easy pulled up next to Carowiel, and then Mela halted as well.

“By Balin’s tomb…” Gimli said quietly, looking at the ship with disbelief. “I have to sail on that thing?”

Easy snorted.

“She is quite seaworthy, Gimli son of Gloin, Elf-friend, first and last dwarf to ever sail to the Undying Lands.”

Corwyn smiled at the tall elf that had come up, seemingly out of nowhere.

“Cirdan! How are you?”

He nodded. “I’m doing very well. But there really isn’t much time for talking, I’m afraid. Your ship departs quite soon, and you must first get your mounts on board. After your ship departs, mine will soon follow.”

Cirdan surveyed the ocean. “So ends the reign of the Elves,” he said quietly. Then he took a deep breath and then smiled at the three before him. “You had best be readying yourselves.”

Legolas swung off of Carowiel. Corwyn dismounted as well, and Gimli scrambled off Easy’s back. With a sharp whistle, Legolas pointed at the ship. The horses tossed their manes and picked up a canter, heading to the vessel. Another elf guided them on board and loaded them below deck with a few others.

Legolas took a deep breath and looked around him. The ocean was so lovely, Middle-earth was so lovely. But he knew that his era had ended. It was time to head to his real home…

A horn sounded.

“That would be us, then,” Gimli said, raising an eyebrow skeptically. “I suppose we should go get on…”

“Yes, it is time to go,” Legolas said, grabbing Gimli’s arm so that the dwarf couldn’t turn back. “We sail across the sea.”

***

Corwyn strained her eyes into the distance. Even in the darkness of night she could make out small dots of green, and a faint light glowing beyond them.

“It’s the Enchanted Isles,” Legolas said, stepping up beside her. “Our journey is almost over. Once we pass the Isles there is the Pass of Light, and then, the Undying Lands.”

Corwyn smiled softly and wrapped her arms about her. “The Undying Lands…” he breathed.

Legolas put his arm around her. “Are you happy now, Corwyn Anelith?”

Corwyn looked up at him. “Yes, very much so.”

She turned her eyes to the sky and found Haldir’s star. “I am happy,” she repeated. The star glittered. For the briefest of moments a wave of sadness washed over her, and she was flooded with memories of Haldir. But it passed, like wind in a meadow.

She stared up at the little star and in her mind’s eye she saw herself standing next to Haldir.

“Thank you, I love you, I am happy,” she said to him.

“There is no need for thanks,” he replied, his blue eyes serious. “I should thank you for making the last part of my life joyful. I love you, too, melamin, and so does he. Take care of him, now, and be happy together.”

“I still miss you sometimes,” she said quietly.

“Namarie,” she whispered back.

“Namarie.”

“What?”

Legolas looked at her curiously.

Corwyn shook her head and put her arms around him. “Nothing. I am simply very happy. The world is white now.”

Legolas smiled. “No grey? No black?” he asked.

“No,” Corwyn replied, “None of those. It is all white, it is all good.”

“And the sky?” Legolas asked, looking ahead into the mist that enshrouded the Isles.

Corwyn hugged him more tightly. “It will never be grey again,” she said softly. “No more grey skies.”