Chapter 12: Goodbyes aren’t forever
‘Gandalf?’ Eldiriel asked as he sat up and rubbed his head.
‘Yes it is I.’ Gandalf spoke smiling. Eldiriel smiled back.
‘How are the little ones?’ Eldiriel asked worried as the memories came back to him.
‘They are fine. Just sleeping. It must have taken a pretty big rock to knock an elf unconscious for this long.’
‘I don’t remember. The Ring was destroyed?’ Eldiriel asked.
‘Yes. Frodo and Sam did it.’ Gandalf said. Eldiriel blew a breathe of relieve.
‘There are others who wish to see you.’ Gandalf said. ‘If you are feeling up to it, that is.’
‘Of course.’ Eldiriel spoke as he sat up. He noticed that he was no longer in his hunting clothes that he wore into Mordor, but a clean white tunic and light blue pants. Eldiriel smiled. They were Legolas’. Eldiriel looked up as he heard a voice come from the entrance of the tent.
‘Elly!’ Pippin cried as he ran from the entrance to Eldiriel’s bed in a matter of seconds, soon followed by Merry.
‘Pippin and Merry! I say you have grown since I last saw you.’ Eldiriel smiled.
‘We have so much to tell you!’ Merry laughed.
‘Not now. All will be told in time.’ Gandalf said to the hobbits. Merry and Pipin both jumped on Eldiriel’s bed and watched as Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli came up to the bed.
‘Eldiriel, you have done Middle Earth a great deed.’ Aragorn said smiling. ‘I’m glad to see you alive also. Gimli and I have had to handel a very worried elf while you were here. Gandalf wouldn’t say what your condition.’ Aragorn said as he teased Legolas.
‘Well, Master Elf! I see I was wrong about elves. Not as bad as they seem.’ Gimli said. ‘Still strange but not as bad.’ Gimli said as he clapped Eldiriel’s back hard. Eldiriel laughed.
‘I found out that dwarfs are the greedy things I made them out to be. I’m sorry for the things I have done and said on this journey, Master Dwarf.’ Eldiriel said and clapped Gimli’s back. Gimli laughed as he moved away so Legolas could talk to his cousin.
‘Cousin, you have made the elven world proud.’ Legolas said as he looked at his cousin. ‘But your hearing could improve.’ Legolas joked as he knocked on Eldiriel’s head.
‘That hurt you know.’ Eldiriel lied.
‘And you need to improve your lying skills, I see.’ Legolas said laughing. ‘It’s good to see you again!’ Legolas said as he hugged his cousin.
‘Not in front of the hobbits!’ Eldiriel joked as he playfully pushed Legolas away. Merry and Pipin took statement to jump on Eldiriel. Laughter filled the tent as Merry and Pipin wrestled an elf to the floor.
‘Not fair!’ Eldiriel cried as the hobbits jumped on his stomach. ‘I’m hurt!’
‘That makes us even. Your hurt and we’re small!’ Merry laughed as he grabbed Eldiriel’s arm and pulled.
‘OUCH!’ Eldiriel cried out in mock pain.
‘Excuse Me!’ A young woman stood near the door way. ‘He may be an elf but he NEEDS his rest!’ The woman said sternly. ‘Don’t look at me like that halfling! I’m his healer, and I know what’s best for the elf! Now go! Out with you all! And you, Master Elf, back into bed!’
Merry and Pipin tried to contain their laughter as the walked out of the tent, Gimli whispered something to Legolas and Aragorn which made them laugh.
Eldiriel was released from his healer the next day, when Sam and Frodo awoke. There was a grand gathering where a minstrel sang of the adventures of the trio. Than to a feast where Eldiriel heard more about what happened in the Last Defense against Sauron. He saw Merry and Pipin helping serve at the feast and stopped them and asked them what they were doing.
‘We are knights of Minas Tirith and of the Mark.’ Merry said.
‘As we hope you observe!’ Pipin added. ‘We have to be off know. We all will gather later and talk!’
As true to Pippin’s word, later he found himself sitting in an open glen listening to the adventures of Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli, Gandalf, and Merry and Pipin. Sam, Frodo and Eldiriel told again their adventures into the dark land of Mordor. Soon it night had fallen on them and they made their ways to bed. Eldiriel was stopped by Gimli and Legolas.
‘Master Elf!’ Gimli shouted.
‘Master Dwarf, I can here you, even when you are trying to be quiet! There is no need to scream so!’ Eldiriel stated trying to keep a straight face, while Gimli puffed up in defense.
‘Now, now, Eldiriel, Gimli.’ Legolas scolded. ‘Eldiriel, Gimli had promised that he wanted to take an elf along with him to see the glittering caves near Helm’s Deep. He never said which elf he wanted to take. As we all know, I would like return to Mirkwood.'
‘Down to the bottom of this, I would like you, Eldiriel of Lothlorien, to come with me.’ Gimli interrupted. Eldiriel smiled.
‘You are very thoughtful Master Dwarf. I except your invitation, only if you come to Lothlorien with me after we explore the caves Legolas speaks of.’ Eldiriel said as he looked from Legolas to Gimli.
‘It would be my honor.’ Gimli said as he bowed.
‘Than you both shall come back to Mirkwood, my homelands, tell me of your adventures and than off to the Lonely Mountain.’ Legolas added.
‘See, Master Dwarf. Legolas can never stand being left out.’ Eldiriel teased.
‘I know! Did I happen to mention that I BEAT your dear cousin at Helm’s Deep. We were comparing battle scores and so happens I won! BY ONE!’ Gimli said proudly.
‘What kind of ruler is Mirkwood going to have! The heir to Mirkwood was beaten by a dwarf! This shall be a great story to tell his children!’ Eldiriel laughed.
‘Only if you have the dwarf there to prove it!’ Gimli laughed along with Eldiriel. Legolas soon felt himself laughing as he watched his cousin and his new friend, Gimli the Dwarf tease him.
The company soon felt Ithilien to go to Minas Tirith were Aragorn was married to Lady Arwen of Rivendale. After the wedding came time for the company that had spent the last year together, to part and head home. The first stop was at Fangorn Forest were Eldiriel and Gimli left to explore the caves of Helm’s Deep and the deep forest of Fangorn. Aragorn couldn’t leave his lands alone for too long and he parted with the hobbits, Gandalf and elf.
‘You all must come and visit my land sometime!’ Aragorn said. ‘Merry and Pipin, you are on leave from you duties of Minas Tirith and the land of Mark. But remember that you may be called upon at any moment, for my land reaches high to the north!’ Aragorn said as he hugged the hobbits. Nodding at the dwarf, elves and Gandalf he left them standing. Gimli and Eldiriel took their leave soon after.
‘Cousin! Remember your promise to Gimli and myself!’ Legolas said as he hugged his cousin. ‘You are welcome in Mirkwood any time. For Lorlome has forgiven you long ago and I have forgiven you and myself.’
‘You Legolas Greenleaf, better not have to many elflings before I see you next! For I want to watch them grow and teach them things that irritate their father!’ Eldiriel laughed as he hugged his cousin.
‘You, cousin, must soon find a she-elf for yourself! For I want to teach your elflings things to make their father mad!’ Legolas said. ‘I also want them to have the better training with a bow!’
‘You’ll regret that!’ Eldiriel laughed as he playfully punched Legolas in the arm.
‘Gimli son of Gloin, you are welcome in the Lands of Mirkwood. Please look out for my cousin for he may still act like a child!’ Legolas whispered. Gimli nodded and smiled as he hugged the elf he had grown to love like a brother.
Gandalf, the hobbits and Legolas made their way up to Rivendale, where they were met by Lord Elrond. There the group rested for it had been a long, but leisurely journey home. Legolas took his leave after a week in Rivendale. The hobbits were sad to see him go for, Gandalf was to stay in Rivendale and Legolas was to return to Mirkwood.
‘This has to be the hardest part.’ Pippin complained.
‘Oh Pip! Don’t get emotional on us!’ Merry joked. Pippin jumped on him and started wrestling with him. Legolas, Frodo and Sam laughed.
‘Do not be so sad, young ones. For Goodbyes aren’t forever. I will see this Shire of yours that you all talk about so lovingly. You all are welcome in Mirkwood, for I will miss your laughter and joking around dearly.’ Legolas said as he mounted his horse and galloped away towards Mirkwood.
The Fellowship had come to it’s end. Bonds were made, promises made and the promise of a peaceful tomorrow floated around Middle Earth. Even in the Shire, where it had become a prison and a place of fear and ugliness bye the evil Saruman. With courage that the hobbits gathered in their journey, and help from Sam’s gift from the Lady of the Wood, the Shire turned to it’s peacefully, care free manner.
The End
