Years flew by on angels wings. The kids were growing as our land was prospering. Altherial, Elros, and Angrendir started learning the art of fighting early on. With the armies of all three lands fully reassembled for any future issues, it was easier to show our children the proper techniques. Legolas taught them skills of the bow and arrow while I took over swordsmanship and horse training. I would often find my daughter in mine and Legolas' bed chamber staring in awe at the sword that was her namesake, knowing full well that someday she would inherit it as her own.

    Legolas also told them about my fighting style and how I would flip off of Sunset and so forth. At first our children thought their Ada was just trying to make their Naneth sound like a more powerful warrior but one day the 5 of us rode out of Rivendell to go visit Arwen, Aragorn, and their brood in Gondor. On the way there, we encountered a slew of orcs. It was then that I showed my children that their ada was telling the truth as I jumped on top of Sunset and rode him into the may lay before flipping off his back and taking out 3 of the horrid looking beasts simultaneously. The children's eyes all but popped out of their respective heads.

"That was amazing, Naneth. I hope that I too will be able to do that someday." Altherial said quietly as her brothers nodded in unison. They had not expected that.

When I was done with the orcs; we set them ablaze in a pyre of stench and then headed onward toward Gondor. It was our youngin's first trip to the great city of Minas Tirith and they were absolutely awestruck by it, especially Altherial. She instantly fell in love with the fortress. Our visit was very interesting as we let the children enjoy their time together while Legolas and Aragorn caught up and Arwen and I had our own private time. She and I were walking through the city with our arms around each other as she saw Altherial and Eldarion speaking intently in the corner. She then said to me in the common tongue:

"I believe your daughter and my son are smitten with each other. I do not need the gift of sight to see that." I smiled at her as I had seen it too.

"I think you may be right, cousin mine. Would not it be grand if they fell in love?" She laughed.

"Talk about keeping it in the family." We both laughed at that.

    Though she and I were cousins, our bloodline was very far apart so that way if our children did fall in love with one another, it would be safe to say they could easily wed. That is how most elves procreated in Middle-Earth anyways; just as long as the familial bloodline was long and far in between. Arwen and I were cousins yes but 64 generations apart. Our children were 65 once or twice removed so it was easy to have it happen. That being said, we did not push them together. Just like our own beloveds, we relegated our children to follow their hearts and love whomever they saw fit.

    One thing was for sure, Altherial and Eldarion were definitely on the path of falling in love as we walked discreetly by them without letting them know we were there. We were happy for them. Elros, Angrendir, Ever, and Melodia were a bit younger but they enjoyed each other's company and that was all that we could ask for at that point. Faramir and Eowyn--having heard of our arrival--came with their own son Elboron to see us and watch all of our children spend time together as we did as well. Gimli did not come with us this time as he caught a cold and was resting back in Rivendell. Aragorn and Arwen told us to give him their well wishes for a speedy recovery.

    It was during one evening when I was standing on the balcony in our room at Minas Tirith that a vision came through my mind; as I watched the vivid picture run itself in my head; I knew that it would soon be time. Though I was saddened by the upcoming event, I knew it was for the best. When it was time for Legolas, the children, and I to return to Rivendell, I took Arwen aside and told her of my vision. She was not surprised though one could tell her expression was one of profound sadness at the same time as contentment. We would cross the bridge together soon, just like everything we had done previously.

    When we returned home, I went straight to uncle Elrond's wing. He was waiting for me. He was standing at a window with his hands behind his back. Without even turning around he said to me:

"You saw."

"I did yes. I told Arwen as well." That is when he turned toward me with a sad smile.

"Both of you are happy and are able to run your kingdoms well." I nodded and walked up to him as he opened his arms up to me. As he held me close, I asked him:

"When?"

"In a few weeks, we have to get prepared. I will write to Arwen to tell her when to come." I nodded then.

    I then went to tell the children and Legolas who knew something was up. Though Legolas understood, explaining it to the others took time. The boys were very upset and cried as we held them. Altherial was trying to be strong as the older sister but even she had tears running down her cheeks. She then ran out of the room to see her great uncle. She did not return for many hours; we let her be. The word spread quickly throughout all of the lands.

    The last weeks flew by like stars in the cosmos. Two days before we were all set to depart toward the Grey Havens, Arwen and Aragorn arrived in Rivendell. They had left their children in the care of maidens at home. As Aragorn spent time with Gimli and Legolas as well as kept our children distracted; Arwen and I spent as much time as we had left with uncle Elrond. Aunt Galadriel and Lord Celeborn came as well while Mithrandir had gone to retrieve Bilbo and the other four hobbits in the Shire. Bilbo and Frodo had been granted passage as well however Sam, Merry, and Pippin did not know about Frodo leaving. That would be tough on them.

    As I let Arwen spend as much time as possible with her ada, I went to the waterfall and spoke to my mother. I asked her for strength to be able to get through these next few days. A lot of important people that I had known my whole existence were leaving Middle-Earth for the Undying Lands and it would not be the same here without them. While I was sitting, playing with the waterfall, I heard footsteps behind me. I turned around and saw my uncle approaching. At first I was unsure why he was not with Arwen but when he spoke in Elvish, I understood his purpose for not wanting Arwen there.

"My dear child, I know your memory serves you well, but for my own safe thinking, I just wanted to remind you of what you promised me upon your own departure from this world someday." I smiled and nodded before speaking.

"Do not worry uncle, the ring is in a safe place and I will bring her with us when it is time. Her light shall not burn out here but will follow you to Valinor and burn brightly forevermore."

    He hugged me then and we walked back together toward the main house where everyone was waiting for the last dinner before our departure the following morning. Everyone was more or less quiet though some spoke to each other about any last minute details. Finally it was time to go to bed. Arwen walked her father back to his wing and they spent some last moments together. I let them be.

    The following morning, everyone was up not too early though. The children said goodbye to their family and wished us a safe trip. They would be looked after by Lyric and Yael. All of Rivendell's elves came to wish their Lord and the Lady of Lorien as well as her spouse farewell. Every single elf, from nobility to blacksmith had tears in their eyes. No one thought this day would come, but it had.

    We rode out toward the Grey Havens in silence. We were surrounded by the Rivendell guard. Thankfully the trip was short and uneventful. When we got to the beautiful place by the water, the ship to make the passage was already waiting by the dock. We all dismounted our respective steeds and walked to the waterfront. As we said our final goodbyes, we heard the approach of Mithrandir and the Hobbits. After final hugs and tears, we left to climb up on a hill overlooking the dock. As Mithrandir approached on foot with the others, he looked up at where we all were standing looking at him. He winked at us all and smiled as I blew him a kiss and placed my hand over my heart as did the others. He bowed to us.

    It was that movement that got the attention of the Hobbits that looked up to see where we were standing. Bilbo, now really old as he no longer had the One Ring to slow down his aging, looked straight at me with wide eyes and said:

"Forgive me, but I do not remember your name." I smiled and replied;

"Hedraliel." I did not bother with the titles.

"That is right. I wish I had elvish blood for you do not age at all. It has been a very long time, has it not?" He was right, considering the last we saw each other was immediately after the Battle of the Five Armies. It had been close to 2 centuries since then.

"It has indeed. May your trip be a smooth one." I replied with a smile. It was at that point that Uncle Elrond got everyone's attention by saying:

"I aear can ven na mar (The sea calls us home)."

    That reminded everyone yet again why we were there and with a smile and an air kiss to Arwen and I, aunt Galadriel boarded the vessel. Bilbo who was ready for another adventure, walked forward as uncle Elrond held his hand out to him to help him aboard. Just before he disappeared inside the ship, he looked at Arwen and I one last time as both of us had tears streaming down our cheeks. Legolas and Aragorn bowed formally to him as Arwen and I just cried silently with our arms around each other. There was no need for words for everything had already been said. He bowed lovingly to us and then disappeared within.

    It was then Mithrandir's turn, but he had to get Frodo too. The shock that Frodo had to leave had all the other Hobbits in tears. Frodo gave Sam the book that he and Bilbo had written for Sam to finish. That is when I remembered about starting my own story yet again. Frodo finally left, after hugging the others. He turned one last time to look at his friends with a smile.

As they left after the ship pulled away from the dock, the four of us continued to stand and watch it sail into the west. We were now on our own to live and rule our kingdoms. I knew though that at some point soon, it would be our turn too. When Legolas and I returned to Rivendell; while he was unpacking our steeds, I went into our wing and to the spot where I had hidden the Evenstar ring uncle Elrond had given to me years before.

I took it out briefly and held it in my hand as the crystals caught the light and shone from every direction. That ring would change the course of destiny when rules would be rewritten as they should be in order to have peace and make sense of life. I put the ring back and walked out onto the balcony as I looked at the moon shining as it came up over the waters.

Tomorrow a new age would dawn for me as Queen Hedraliel Anorithilian of the 3 United Elven Lands.